The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1915-08-18
u. SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES
Side Lights on Next Sundays
Lesson for Teachers and Pupils
Edited by Charles K. Meyers.

August 22-Asa's Good Reign
Chron Is 1-15.
Our lesson for today leads us full
ther into the history of the Children q
Israel, during the times of the kings
Last Sunday we studied as to Jerobc
am king of the ten tribes which re
belled after the death of Solomon. re
day we take up some history of tn
two tribes which remained loyal t
RehobOam, whose capital was at Je
rusalem, where sat the great templ
built and dedicated by Solomon. On
the death OF Rehoboam he was sue
ceeded by his son, NAbijah, who was ;
king whom God helped At the end o
his life his son, Asa, became the hea(
OF the government, and the lesson to
day tells some incidents of his career
1t is said in the beginning that Asa
did that which was right in THE sight
of the Lord This is good indeed, and
we will now find out what he did tc
gain this place in bible history. II
would appear that some idOlatrous
worship had crept in and the king or
dered the images broken down and
the groves thereabOut destroyed. Then
there being peace he fortified the cities
of Judah. Before long his country was
attacked by an army coming from
Ethiopia, which came with a great
host of men and chariOts. Asa knew
on whom to call when he and his peo-
pie needed help and he thus spoke
to God:
Lord it is nothing with thee to
help whether with many or with
p 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. 0 Lord,
thou art our God; let no man pre-
vail against us"
1t will be at once seen that this is
q remarkable prayer. 1t went right
to the root of matters. There was
dependence on God, acknowledgment
of His power, and confidence that He
would help. 1t was model in many
ways and was of course successful.
The enemies were overcome in short
order. 1t was on the return Of Asa
from this military expedition that the
scenes set forth in the lesson verses
take place. He is met by the prophet
Azariah, who tells him very many i'm.
portant things. What he said is best
set forth by using the bible record as
follows:
Hear We Asa, and all Judah
and Benjamin; the Lord is with
you, while We be with Him; and if
We seek Him, He will be found OF
you; But If We forsake Him, he
will forsake you"
This is very clear setting out not
only of,fthe relationship OF Asa and
his people to God. but ours as well. In
general terms it is true that God does
not cast anyone off entirely, but it is
very true that He is closer to those
who seek Him. and there is such a
thing, as fspurning His advances and
tender cara. Now so. powerful and
firm friend as the mighty God is
what you and ! want, and it is rank
foolishness to turn from Him to the
friendship of His enemies. AS we
note the pressure now being brought
to bear on the small countries OF the
Balkan peninsular to get them to come
out against Germany and for Italy and
ENGLAND, we are at loss as to the
best advice to give, If asked for it,
but there is no doubt that friendship
for God is most right and productive
of the best things for us.
Here is what Asa and his people
did. The record says: They entered
into a covenant to seek God, the Lord
God OF their fathers, with all their
heart and soul" Well, that was the
very thing to do; and we ought to be
doing the same. With all the heart
and soul meant no half way doing.
We admire a person who, wanting a
thing. goes after it hard and there is
no more important object for us to
rain than blessed eternal life through
faith in God and His son Jesus. There
fore let nothing stand in the way of
getting it.
We have said at other times that
being christian does not keep one
from having sickness, disappointment
death of loved ones, but it does give
more than human courage to endure.
and there is the promise of support
from God in such times. Such expert
ences should lead us to draw closer
to God and not be estranged. There
can be looking forward with conf
dence to time when such things will
not affect any more and we can be in
peace in the mansions not made with
hands prepared for those who love
God.
we read in the bible that because
Asa was right with God many turned
to his support, and the kingdom had
peace and prosperity. Ii we truly
walk as God would ask. there is no dan
ger of friends not being near and ready
to help when needed. 1t appears that
the. mother of Asa had set up an idol,
but that love for her did not keep the
son from destroying it, and grinding
it into powder. Natural love for
mother, father, wife or child must not |
stand in the way of one doing |
their christian duty. Thus we see
that right out of the seemingly dry |
history of king of Judah there can
be found grand truth which we can
apply this very day, and it is that II
we seek God He will seek US, but II
we reject Him He will reject us. The
whole matter is in our own hands. We
ought to say as did Joshua of old, AS
for me and for my house we will serve
the Lord