The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1915-08-20

LESSON FOR AUGUST e
AsA's GOOD REIGN.
By o. E. sELLER9. Acting Director Of
Bible Instituto)

AsA's GOOD REIGN.
LESSON TEXT-u Chron. 15::1-l6.
GOLDEN TExT-Draw nigh to God a
viii draw nigh to you. James "a.
Skeptics who formerly laughed at
the record of II Chron. 1879 OF ut the
reputed size Of Xerxes' army = 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
relied upon the Lord" inc ASA his
son reigned in his stead"
!. Righteousness Exhorted. w. ~.
Returning from his wonderful victory
over Zerah the Ethiopian. Asa IN met
by the spirit-anointed prophet, Axarian
(v. u. This al was taken posses
sion Of by the spirit OF God Gil Pet.
1:21; Mum. 24:2; Judges $40; II Tim.
3:16). Thus it was that he commands
even the king, Hear ye me- ". y.
His first words were encouraging
ones. Jehovah is with you," and the
proof of his word was the victory Asa
had just won, lch. 1878; Rom. 1881:
Deut. 20:1). That victory was q dem
o~nstration, 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 a fearful indictment ("with-
out the true Cod" 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 q law unto itself. But God
was merciful FPS. 1898; 117:2), and
In that time OF testing was working
his good will. Thus it came that in
their great trouble" (v. ~ they sought
Jehovah and he was found Of them"
Neglecting him there was mo peace"
and great vexations" also lisa 1920.
Our Lord has prophesied even greater
calamtties in the last days Of Israel's
apostasy Matt. 24:6, y and the pres
emit upheaval in Europe can be large
~ traced to apostasy and to the treat
ment Of Gods people Israel. God will
remember his covenant (Deut. 4:29-31:
Judges 10:1O-16; Ps. 1O6:44, Hos.
14:1-3) ven though Israel has forgot
ten him and has mo peace anywhere
upon the earth. Ali OF this came from
the hand Of God ". s: Judges "a:
lisa 1850 and was an exhortation
that he should work as well. We, too.
are taught to "despise not prophesy-
ing Il Thess. $500 and to work"
(John 6:28; Phil. 2:12: Matt. 21:28;
II Thess. 3:1O). At the same time there
IL for us q sure reward ". Z; Matt.
1914, ~; / Cor. 1858: Col. 3:24;
Heb. $40; 10:35).
II. Righteousness Executed, W.. els.
~ The Kings Part, w. 8, .. Asa
had shown himself worthy Of this spe-
cial revelation from God: Ia) his con
duct (14:2. 3. 81; CD 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 (14:11). Verse
eight is suggestive Of the way he re
ceived this revelation: (a) he "tool
courage'-a word Of commentator
will revive any weary heart (b) He
put away the denominations" mos,
thoroughly, which his great-grandfath
er Solomon had brought into Israel
and In accordance with the word o.
God (Deut. 1853. There are man,
strange affairs in u land today, forms
Of religion that stand not the tes'
Of Gods word and which not alone
deceive the very elect but are sweep
ing into their vortex the som ant
daughters of the saints OF God. Any
thing, no matter how esthetic or moral
~ e~levating or professedly religious
that measures not according to Thu
word, should be torn down. (c) Blu
Asa was constructive as well as de
structive for he built again the alta
Of Jehovah" IT'S sad to think tina
20 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 togethe
at Jerusalem, at the proper time an
the place. Obi They Offered sacrifc
unto the Lord" Heretofore their Of
ferings had been to their selishnes
or to strange gods. Their gift was
costly one and the Lords treasury /
always q standard whereby to meas
ure the work of grace in the heart
Of his people. (c) They made anothe
covenant ito seek the Lord" Pr
1858. 4; Amos 5:4. ~. Those VIII
seek him find him Cps. 14:2). To see
him Is pleasing to him. but it must b
as theirs. with all their soul" w
find God In Christ John 1876; I job
$500. Whosoever sought him nc
were punished, even so will those b
who nov turn from him John 16:l
3: Matt. 25). (d) They ave publ
testimony Of their, determination &
AZ. Loud protestations are not a
ways permanent, still there must h
an open confession from. 1893. IL
Matt. 1882. Their confession Wa
accompanied by music. There is q
: joy like that which ZONES with a ne
faith, a new sense OF Gods love,
real revival. (el Lastly. the peopl
found rest" or rather it was given
to them In verse nve there was n
peace; now. after having earnestl
sought him ". Is. - 9 was Efver
49,