"7 At that time Hanani the seer came to King Asa and told him, “Because you have put your trust in the king of Aram instead of in the Lord your God, you missed your chance to destroy the army of the king of Aram. 8 Don’t you remember what happened to the Ethiopians[a] and Libyans and their vast army, with all of their chariots and charioteers?[b] At that time you relied on the Lord, and he handed them over to you. 9 The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war.”
10 Asa became so angry with Hanani for saying this that he threw him into prison and put him in stocks. At that time Asa also began to oppress some of his people."
Wow, so much is packed into these three verses found in 2 Chronicles 16. According to these verses King Asa displayed great faith at one time, but what happened? As a matter of fact, this is the same King Asa in 2 Chronicles 15:15 whose nation, "earnestly sought after God, and they found Him. And the Lord gave them rest from their enemies on every side."
Sadly, I definitely can see myself in this scenario. How for a while I can display that faith which could move mountains, and then all of a sudden my faith gets choked by the worries and difficulties of life. Sometimes faith doesn't always come naturally, in most instances faith takes much commitment, practice, and patience. Sometimes we have to regularly remind ourselves of what God has done for us in past events.
Wavering faith seemed to be King Asa's biggest issue; however, a much more glaring issue is present. Look at how King Asa responded when confronted by the Prophet Hanani. Asa threw Hanani into prison, revealing the true state of his heart. How do we respond when we are confronted about our sin? Do we deny it with pride, rage, and anger? Or do we accept it with humbleness, sincerity, and repentance?
King Asa's heart was hardened, 2 Chronicles 16:12-13 says, "12 In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa developed a serious foot disease. Yet even with the severity of his disease, he did not seek the Lord's help but turned only to his physicians. 13 So he died in the forty-first year of his reign"....
Asa carried his bitterness and pride all the way to his grave! We must remember that an effort to follow God's plan will always bring positive results.
James 1:5-8
New Living Translation (NLT)
5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
Jeremiah 29:11
New Living Translation (NLT)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
