Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-08-20

COLLEEN TEXT-Draw nigh to God and
he will draw nigh to you. James As.
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 are
reckoned by the millions. Abijah, Re
hoboam's successor, easily defeated
Feroboam (ch. 13:13-201 because. he
relied upon the Lord" and ASA his
spn reigned in his stead
|. Righteousness Exhorted, Wv. III
Returning from his wonderful victory
sver Zerah the Ethiopian, Asa is met
ty the spirit-anointed prophet, Azariah
". u. This man was taken posses
sion of by the spirit of God 0I Pet.
1:21; Mum. 24:2; Judges $40; II Tim.
s:16). Thus it was that he commands
even the king. Hear ye me" (v. 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. 1878; Rom. S:31;
Deut. 20:D. That victory was a 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-
out the true God" Eph. 2:12) and
they are suggestive picture of this
age that is so sadly in need of
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" w. A they sought
Jehovah and 'he was found of them"
Negiecting him there was mo peace"
and great vexations" also Isa. 4S:22).
Our Lord has prophesied even greater
calamities in the last days of Israel's
apostasy Matt. 24:6, y and the pres4
ent upheaval in Europe can be large
ly traced to apostasy and to the treat
ment of Gods people Israel. God will
Judges 10:10-16; Ps. 1O6:44, Hos.
14:1-3) even though Israel has forgot
ten him and has mo peace" anywhere
upon the earth All Of this came from
the hand of God tv. 6; Judges IA;
Isa. .10:6) 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 q Thess 5:20) and to work, "
John 6:2S; Phil ZIP; Matt. q; ;2S;
II Thess. :10). At the same time there
is for us sure reward (v. z; Matt.
10:41. AZ; ! Cor. 1858; Col. 3:24;
Heb. 6:1O; 10:35N.
II. Righteousness Executed, w. BIS.
ID The Kings Part, Wv. 8, 9. Asa
had shown himself worthy of this spe-
ciaI revelation from God: (a) his con
duct (14:2, 3, 50; (b) his words OF
com gand and exhortation CAD
(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. (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. 1850. There are man.
strange affairs in our land today, form:
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 sons ant
daughters of the saints of God. Any
thing, no matter how esthetic or moral
ly elevating or professedly religious
that measures not according to thi
word, should be torn down. (c) Blu
Asa was constructive as well as de
structive for he built again the alta
of Jehovah 'Tis sad to think tina
so many homes and communities dc
mand such a work in their midst tt
day.
2. The Peoples Part, wv. 1915. "a
They obeyed and gathered togethe
, at Jerusalem, at the proper time an
the place. (b) They Offered sacrif1c
unto the Lord" Heretofore their O
: ferings had been to their sel1shnes
t or to strange gods. Their gift was
{ costly one and the Lords treasury
always standard whereby to mea
ure the work of grace in the heart
of his people. Co They made anothe
; covenant ito seek the Lord" (P
. 1858, 4; Amos 5:4, g.. Those VIII
3 seek him find him (Ps. 14:2). To see
i him is pleasing to him, but it must b
I as theirs, with all their SOUL W
find God in Christ John 1876; Joh
: $500. Whosoever sought him NJ
t were punished, even so will those
who now turn from him John Is:
: 8; Matt. 25). I'D They gave publ
:. testimony of their determination {
j 14). Loud protestations are not a
i ways permanent, still there must
: an open confession (Rom. 1879, II
Matt. 1892. Their confession We
q accompanied by music. There is I
0 joy like that which comes with a ne
faith, a new sense of Gods love,
y real revival (e) Lastly, the peop
J. found rest" or rather it was 'give1
l. to them In verse five there was Il
peace: now, after having earnest
sought him (y. i5), "a rest was liye1
which they had not been able to fin
This is ready for all who truly see
J, him Judges 3:9 Matt 11:2S, 29).
q Conclusion. Though Asa had
!, parental handicap Il Kings 1871;
, and lived in a corrupt court still /
@ yielded to the teaching of Gods wol
n and therefore wrought a great refo
nation.