Middletown transcript., 1915-08-21

Skeptics who formerly laughed at
the record of ii Chron. 14:9 or at the
reputed size of Xerxes' army are pain
fully silent in the face of the present
European struggle where armies ara
reckoned by the millions. Abijah, Re-
hobOams successor, easily defeated
Jeroboam (ch. 10: 1920 because he
relied upon the Lord" and Asa his
son reigned in his stead"
|. Righteousness Exhorted, w. ~.
Returning from his wonderful victory
over Zerah the Ethiopian, Asa is met
by the spirlt-anointed prophet, Azariah
". u. This man was taken posses
sion of by the spirit of God (II Pet.
1921: Mum. 24:2; Judges $40; II Tim.
3:16). Thus it was that he commands
even the king, Hear ye me" ". %.
His first words were encouraging
ones, Jehovah is with you," and the
proof of his word was the victory Asa
had just won, (ch. 1928; Rom. 8:S1;
Deut. 20:D. That victory was a DEM
onstration, it involved an obligation
and had a 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.
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 as though without law" or
else is a law unto itself. But God
was merciful Cps. 1898; 117:2), and
in that time Of testing was working
his good will. Thus it came that "in
their great trouble" ". 4) they sought
Jehovah and 'he was found of them"
Neglecting him there was mo peace"
and great vexations" also lisa. 48:22).
Our Lord has prophesied even greater
calamities in the last days of IsraeTs
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 1O:10-16; Ps. 106:44; Hos.
1919 even though Israel has forgot
ten him and has mo peace" anywhere
upon the earth. All of this came from
the hand Of God ". 6; Judges 2:4;
Isa. 1O:6) and was an exhortation
". y that Asa should remember and
that he should work as we'll We, too,
are taught to "despise not prophecy
Ing Il Thess. 5:20) and to work"
(John 6:28; Phil. 2:12; Matt. 21:28;
II Thess. S:10). At the same time there
Is for US sure reward ". Z; Matt.
1O:41, AZ; l Cor. 1858; Col. 3:24;
Heb. $40; 1O:35).
u. Righteousness Executed, w. e-15.
~ The Kings Part, w. 8, 9. Asa
had shown himself worthy of this spe-
cial revelation from God: (a) his con-
duct (14:2, 3, 81; (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-
celVed this revelation; (a) he took
courage'-a word of commendation
VIII revive any weary heart. % 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 CDeut. 7:5). There are many
strange altars 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
thlng, no matter how esthetic or moral
~ elevating or professedly religious.
mat 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" 'Tis sad to think that
so many homes and communities de-
mand such a work in their midst to-
day.
2. The Peoples Part, w. 1915. (a)
They obeyed and gathered together
at Jerusalem, at the proper time and
the place. OBJ They Offered sacrifice
unto the Lord" Heretofore their Of
lerings had been to their selfishness
Of to strange gods. Their gift was a
costly one and the Lords treasury is
always standard whereby to meas
ure the work of grace in the hearts
of his people. (c) They made another
covenant ito seek the Lord" (Ps.
lO5:S, 4; Amos 5:4, 81. Those who
seek him find him FPS. 14:2). To seek
nln Is pleasing to him, but it must be
as theirs, with all their SOUL" We
nnd God in Christ John 14:6: John
o;2O). Whosoever sought him not
were punished, even SO will those he
VINO now turn from him John 1873,
y; Matt. 25). Cd They gave public
testimony of their determination ".
I4)' Loud protestations are not al.
ways permanent, still there must be
an open confession (Rom. 1879. 10:
Matt. 1O:32). Their confession was
accompanied by music. There is no
Joy like that which comes with a new
laitn' a new sense of Gods love, a
real revival. (e) Lastly, the people
found rest" or rather it was "given"
10 them. In verse five there was no
pe~ce now, after having earnestly
sought him ". 15), "a rest was given"
which they had not been able to find.
4hls Is ready for sll who truly seek
MIN Judges S:9; Matt. 1928. 29).
Conclusion. Though Asa had a
parental handicap Il Kings 1919
ana hVed in corrupt court still he
yleloed to the teaching of Gods word
ana therefore wrought a great refor.
nation.
Recognizing the source of power in