Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1915-08-19

LESSON TExT-II Chron. l5::1-1s.
GOLDEN TExT-Draw nigh TO God and
be will draw nigh to you. James AS.
Skeptics who formerly laughed at
the record OF ii Chron. 1879 or at the
reputed size of Xerxes' 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-aneinted prophet, Azariah
". -. This man was taken posses
sion of by the spirit of God (II Pet.
1:21: Mum. 24:2; Judges $40; II Tim.
3:l6). Thus it was that he commands
even the king. Hear We me- ". q.
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 dem.
onstration, 1t involved an obligation
and had lesson for the king as well.
viz, that If 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 fearful indictment ("with-
fx-an Enh o. HI
they are a suggestive picture of this
age that is so sadly in need of a
teaching priest" and is so constantly
acting as though without law" or
else is a law unto itself. But God
was merciful Cps. 1923; 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"
Neglecting him there was mo peace"
and great yexations" also Elsa. As 22l.
Our Lord has prophesied even greater
calamities in the last days Of Israel's
apostasy Matt. 24:6, y and the pres
ent upheaval In Europe can be large
ly traced to apostasy and to the treat
ment of Gods people Israel.
II. Righteousness Executed, w. BIS.
"a The Kings Part, w. 8, 8. Asa
had shown himself worthy of this spe-
cial revelation from God: ta) his con-
duct t14:2, 3, So; (b) his words of
command and exhortation 14:4 ;
(c) his care for and service in be-
half of others (14:60); (d) his reliance
upon and zeal Of God (14:1D. Verse
eight is suggestive of the way he re-
ceived this revelation; (a) he took
courage word of commentator
Will revive any weary heart. OBJ He
put away the denominations" most
thoroughly, which his great-grandfath-
er Solomon had brought into Israel,
God (Deut. 1850. There are many
strange affairs in our land today, forms
OF religion that stand not the test
of Gods word and which not alone
deceive the very elect but are sweep
ing into their vortex the sons and
daughters of the saints of God. Any
thing, no matter how esthetic or moral
ly eleyating or professedly religious,
that measures not according to this
word, should be torn down. (c) But
Asa was constructive as well as de-
structive for he built again the altar
of Jehovah"
2. The Peoples Part, w. 1915. (a)
They obeyed and gathered together
at Jerusalem, at the proper time and
the place (b) They Offered sacrifice
unto the Lord Heretofore their Of
ferings had been to their selfishness
or to strange gods. Their gift was a
costly one and the Lords treasury is
always a standard whereby to meas
ure the work of grace in the hearts
of his people. (c) They made another
covenant ito seek the Lord Cps.
1868, A; Amos 5:4, g.. Those who
seek him find him Cps. 142). To seek
him is pleasing to him, but it must be
as theirs, with all their SOUL" We
find God in Christ John 14:6; John
$500. Whosoever sought him not
were punished, even SO will those be
who now turn from him John 1873,
8; Matt. 25). CD They gave public
testimony of their determination ~.
14). Loud protestations are not al
ways permanent.
Conclusion. Though Asa had a
parental handicap q Kings 1919
and lived in corrupt court still he
yielded to the teaching of Gods word
and therefore wrought a 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.
Asa's reformation was in reality q
religious revival and such is the only
kind that has any permanency.
In the time of testing Asa ~
went to God for help; t2) pleaded
the cause of God and the honor of his
name; (3) went out to fight, trusting
in God.