The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-08-21


. GOLDEN TEXT-Draw nigh to God and
he will draw nigh to you. James AS.
= a.
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"
!. Righteousness Exhorted, w. II.
Returning from his wonderful victory
over Zerah the Ethiopian, Asa II met
by the spirit-anointed prophet, Azariah
". ~. This man was taken posses
: sion Of by the spirit of God OH Pet.
,1:21; Mum. 24:2; Judges $40; IL Tim.
.3:16(. Thus it was that he commands
even the king. Hear We 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. 1913; Rom. S:31;
.Deut. 20:4). That victory was a DEM
onstration, It involved an obligation
and had a lesson for the king as we'll.
viz. that If he, and his people would
seek Jehovah they would find him, but
II they forsook him he will forsake
you" The words recorded in verse
three were fearful Indictment ("with-
out the true God" Eph. 2:12) and
they are a Suggestive picture of this
age that is SO sadly in need Of a
teaching priest" and is so constantly
acting las though without law" or
else is. law unto itself But God
was merciful Cps. 1898; HE'D, and
in that time of testing was working
his coed will. Thus 1t came that I'm
their great trouble" ". A. they sought
Jehovah and he was found of them"
Neglecting him there was mo peace"
| and great vexations" also Elsa. :22).
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. God will
remember his covenant Deut. 4:29-31;
Judges 10:10-16; Ps. 106:44, Hos.
1913 even though Israel has forgot
ten him and has no peace" anywhere
upon the earth. All of this came from
the hand Of God Nv. 6; Judges "a;
lisa. 1876 and was an exhortation
| ". y that Asa should remember and
that he should work as well. We, too.
are taught to "despise not prophesy-
ing Il Thess. 5:20) and to work"
John 6:2S; Phil. Pip; Matt. 21:2s;
II Thess. S:10). At the same time there
Is for US a sure reward ". Z; Matt.
1914, AZ; Cor. 1883; Col. 1924;
Heb, 6:1O; 10:S5)..
u. Righteousness Executed, w. Bis.
~ The Kings Part, w. 8, 9. Asa
had shown himself worthy of this spe-
cial revelation from God: (a) his con-
duct Q4:2, 3, 81; OBJ his words Of
command and exhortation Q4:D;
(c) his care for and service in be-
half of others (14:60); (d} his reliance
upon and zeal of God Q4:1D. Verse
|
ceived this revelation; (a) he took
courage word of commentator
will revive any weary heart. (b) He
put away the denominations" most
thoroughly, which his great-grandfath-
er Solomon had brought into Israel,
God (Deut. 7:5). 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 elevating or professedly religious.
that measures. not according to this
word, should be torn down. (c) But
Asa was constructive ais we'll as de-
r structive for he built again the altar
o.. Jehovah" IT'S sad to think that
80 many homes and communities de-
mand such a work in their midst to
day.
2. The PeopIe's> Part, wv. 1915. (a)
They obsyed and gathered together
at Jerusalem, at the proper time and
therplace. OBJ They Offered sacrifice
unto the lord" Heretofore their of
ferjpgs had been to their selfishness
Or to strange GODS Their gift was 9
costly one and the Lords treasury IL
I 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" FPS
1858, 4; Amos ga, o.. Those who
seek him find him FPS. 14:2). To seel
him is pleasing to him, but it must b.
: as theirs. with all their SOUL" w,
tind God in Christ -tJohn 14:6; Johr
5:20). Whosoever sought him no
: were punished, even so will those b.
who now torn from him John 1878
D; Matt. 25). (d) They gave publ,
testimony Of their determination "
~. Loud protestations are not al
ways permanent, still there must b,
an open confession (Rom. 1879, 10
Matt. 10:32)5 Their confession wa
accompanied by music. There is n
,, 10y like that which comes with a new
faith, new sense of Gods love,
real revival. (e) Lastly, the peopl