The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1915-08-19

SkeptlCS VINO formerly laughed at
the record of ii Chron. 1919 or at the
reputed size of Nerves. army are pain
fully silent in the face of the present
European struggle where armies are
reckoned by the millions. Abijah. Re
hoboam's successor, easily defeated
Jeroboam (ch. 13:13-20) because he
relied upon the Lord, and Asa his
son reigned in his stead"
I. Righteousness Exhorted. w. ~.
Returning from his wonderful victory
over Zerah the Ethiopian. Asa is met
by the spirit-anointed prophet. Azariah
". u. This man was taken posses
sion Of by the spirit of God Gil Pet.
1;21; Mum. 24:2; Judges 3 10; ii Tim.
3:l6). Thus it was that he commands
even the king, Hear ye me- ". p.
His first words were encouraging
ones. Jehovah is with you and the
proof of his word was the victory Asa
had just won. (ch. 32:S; Rom. S:31;
Deut. 20:D. That victory was a DEM
onstrasion. 1t involved an obligation
and had n lesson for tho king as well.
viz. that II he and his people would
seek Jehovah they would find him. but
If they forsook him he Will forsake
you. The words recorded in verse
three were n fearful indictment with
out the true God" Eph. 2:12) and
they are suggestive picture Of this
age that is SO sadly in need of a
teaching priest" and is SO constantly
acting ms though without law" or
else is law unto itself But God
was mereiful cps. 1898, 117:2}, and
in that time OF testing was working
his good will. Thus it came that lin
their great trouble" " - they sought
Jehovah and he was found OF them. "
NegleCttng him there Was no peace"
and great vexations" also Elsa. 4S:22) i.
Our Lord has prophesied even greater
calamities in the last days eff Israel 8
apostasy Matt. 24:6. - and the pres
ent upheayal in Europe can be large
~ traced To apostasy aud to the treat
ment of Gods people Israel.
II. Righteousness Executed, w. SIS.
o. The Kings Part, w. 8, 9. Asa
had shown himself worthy OF this spe
Cial revelation from God. ta) his con-
Duct i4.2, >. o., tbl his words OF
command and exhortation Q4.D.
lc) his care for and service in be-
half OF others Cl4:60l; tG) his reliance
upon and zeal OF God C4:lD. Verse
eight is suggestive of the way he re-
ceiyed this revelation; ta) he "tcok
courage word OF commentator
viii revive any weary heart. (b) He
put away the denominations" most
thoroughly, which his great ,grandfath
er solomon had brought into Israel.
and in accordance With the word Of
God tDeut. 80. There are many
strange affairs in cur land today. forms
OF religion that stand not tho test
or Gods word and which not alone
deceive the very elect but are sweep
ing into their vortex the sons aud
daughters OF tho saints OF God Any.
thing. no matter how esthetic or moral
~ eleyating or profes sedly religious.
that measures not according To this
word, should be torn down. (cl But
Asa was constructive as we'll as de-
structiye for he built again the altar
OF Jehovah"
?. The Peoples Part, w. 1915. (a)
They obeyed and gathered together
at Jerusalem. ut the proper time and
the place. (b) They Offered sacrifice
unto the Lord" Heretofore their OF.
ferings had been 10 their selishness
or TO strange gods. Their gilt was a
costly one and the Lords treasury Is
always a standard whereby TO meas
are the work OF grace in the hearts
II his people. (c) They made another
covenant Ito seek the Lord" (Ps.
1858. 4; Amos "a. g.. Those who
seek him find him cps. ~. To seek
him is pleasing to him. but IL must be
as theirs. with all their soul" We
find God in Christ John lac; | John
500. Whosoever sought him not
were punished. even SO Will those be-
who now turn from him John lc:s.
g, Matt. 25). I'D They gave public
testimony OF their determination ".
IA. Loud protestations are not al
ways permanent.
Conclusion. Though Asa had
VI hlAkS 10 AOl
and lived in corrupt court still he
yielded to the teaching OF Gods word
and therefore wrought great refor-
nation.
Recognizing the source OF power in
his own life Asa taught the people
the word OF God, to seek God and TO
keep his commandments
Asas reformation Was In reality .
religious revival and such is the only
kind that has any permaneney.
In the time OF testing Asa Q
went TO God for help; 90 pleaded
the cause OF God and the honor OF his
name; CD went out to fight. trusting
In God.
Revival heights and experiences
bless us evermore, a new light shines
in our daily life. the level OF life is
higher and the ideals OF men and OF
communities are more noble aud ex.
allied.
No one can work his best without
enthusiasm. and revivals provide both