Asa's second half

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. 2Chronicles 16:10 NLT

SOME call it anticlimax; I would like to call it raw reality. It means impressive beginnings do not guarantee impressive endings. Many things can happen in-between. Convictions and choices change over time ... people change too. With these hard realities before my eyes, I can only find refuge in the One that changes not! A sincere cry for mercy is never outdated or inappropriate. Given the fact that God is merciful ... Asa no longer found that applicable. 35 years of power, prosperity and peace somehow intoxicated him inside ... so when a fresh crisis showed up, he now responded with a strategy ... a brilliant plan ... the deception here is—IT WORKED! The plan was called brilliant here on earth while it was called blasphemy in the eyes of God. God made His disapproval clear through the message of Hanani, the Seer. I think one of the sins God truly hates is SELF-SUFFICIENCY!

Let us take a careful look at what went wrong in the second half of Asa's reign and prayerfully allow the Lord to examine our hearts.

What went wrong? Here we can see at least 3 major and fatal blows which brought about a political triumph but a spiritual downfall!

1. Unprayed for Solution v. 2

Comparing his present crisis to the past ... this one is minor, yet something had changed ... Asa no longer called on the Lord for help! He solved his problem without prayer ... meaning, without dependence upon God. When prayer life wanes, it also signals the decline of faith!

2. Undiscerning Actions vv. 3-6

It was a dangerously pragmatic adjustment—Taking temple treasure to bribe an enemy King to break a treaty; trusting his Father's political alliance rather than God. It was politically brilliant BUT spiritually blasphemous. It was an easy solution with long term consequences. Asa's actions showed his inward spiritual decay.

3. Unbroken Arrogance v7-10

Asa displayed his anger and arrogance ‘til his death bed. Here we see the spiritual danger of power addiction. God gave Asa all the chances he needed ... yet his heart hardened beyond repair. Remember the warning and wisdom of the book of Proverbs 29:1 “Whoever stubbornly refuses corrections will suddenly be destroyed beyond repair.” In a snapshot, here are evidences of Asa's arrogance . . .

· He refused God's Message

· He ridiculed God's Messenger

· He rejected God's Mercy

What is the timeless message of God in this Old Testament narrative?

• Asa was obsessed with Power

• Asa was consumed by Anger

• Asa died in Willfulness

Whatever crises we are facing today, consider this as God's Invitation to Be Broken. Only in brokenness can we see our true spiritual condition. It is only through brokenness that our pride is broken.

Brokenness is also God's Invitation to Bow Down. Bow down, not in defiance but in total dependence upon God ... unconditionally acknowledging powerlessness. Bowing down before God means bringing along our deep wounds for healing and closure. The second half of life is our last call to bow down, lest we die a hardened old man or woman.

When we bow down, we accept God's invitation to be a Blessing. Here is our last chance to make a difference in the lives of others, our chance to redemption; an opportunity not to undo what was done but to do what is right in our last chapter of life.

The second half is . . .

1. A time to remember the Spiritual Markers of Grace, recalling with gratitude what God has done in the past.

2. A Time to reflect on the Abundance of Mercy ... availing of God's mercy offered every day. It is because of God's mercy we are not successful at totally ruining ourselves.

3. A Time to respond in Repentance. Because of the goodness of God and His love, repentance is now possible. Repentance is a change of mind and heart towards the right direction.

Let this final reminder sink in ... do not delay—it is time to BOW DOWN!

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