This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.
Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.
Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&handling) for each page to:
Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418
HERE
Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the books of
Genesis through 2Kings are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just
mail your request for COMMENTARY ON (BOOK NAME) to the address above.
2CHRONICLES
1 So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten years.
2 And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God:
3 For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves:
4 And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.
Asa, son of Abijah, became king. He reigned an unprecedented forty-one years. And God records that Asa "..did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God.."(verse 2).
5 Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.
6 And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest.
7 Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.
When Asa became king the land was "quiet" because of Abijah's conquering leadership. He exhibited wisdom in that henot only rid the land of idols, but he also built up the armory cities. He fortified the land against attack.
8 And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.
9 And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah.
10 Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.
11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.
12 So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.
Asa had a large army of 580,000 spearmen and bowshooters. All of them were well protected with "targets" and "shields."
13 And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the LORD, and before his host; and they carried away very much spoil.
14 And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.
15 They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem.
God Himself took care of the enemy. He did it with the Ethiopians for Asa, and He did it with Satan for you and me. Please continue in Bible Study with us.
CHAPTER 14
Asa took control physically and spiritually. He rid the land of the "strange" coves and idol groves. No longer were people allowed to worship "other gods" in Judah. He also commanded that people worship Jehovah only.
While this may not have been politically correct, it was pleasing to God, and God honored that commitment.
Notice the reason for his fortifications. He said the Lord had given them "rest" (peace from enemies), and that they should honor God with this action. It was not ust a military action, it was a spiritual compliment to God.
But the army of the Ehiopians which came against him numbered ONE MILLION!
Asa got ready for the battle, and then he called upon God!
Notice his statement to God in verse 11. He said it was "nothing" for God to help and give victory no matter what the number of the forces against them!
Friends, if God can create a universe with His WORD; if God can breathe LIFE into an old hunk of clay; if God can raise the dead by just calling their name, God can surely give us the victories we need in life!
Asa recognized that and placed it squarely in God's hands as to whethere they would meet with victory or defeat.
This is an important principle. There will be many times in life when you will FEEL defeated. There will be many times in life when it SEEMS all is lost.
But if you'll make ONE commitment to Christ and then live BELIEVING, life will be WORTH it all!! If you will let Christ be in CHARGE, He will work "...all things together for good..." (Romans 8:28).
The Bible says the Lord "smote the Ehiopians" (verse 12).
And the Bible also says that Jesus "...led captivity captive.." (Ephesians 4:8).
Today, friends, the devil is DEFEATED, BEATEN! He has received the "death blow" to his ole head, and he's just lashing around hurting every one he can before God puts him in the burning pit for eternity.
The wonderful part of that principle is this: the devil has no power where Christians are doing God's business in faith!
So don't let him get a foothold in your life. Live for Christ. Live BELIEVING!