The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1915-08-19

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; 1920 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 is met
by the spirit-anointed prophet. Azariah
". u. This man was taken posses
sion OF by the spirit OF God III Pet.
1:21; Mum. 24:2; Judges 3:1O; II Tim.
3:16). Thus It was that he commands
even the king, Hear ye me" ". p.
His first words we're 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:D That victory was a dem.
onstration, 1t involved an obligation
and had lesson for the king as well,
viz, that II 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 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 law unto itself. But God
was merciful (Ps. 1898; 117:2), and
in that time of testing was working
his good will. Thus II came that in
their great trouble w. ~ they sought
Jehovah and "he was found of them"
Neglecting him there was mo peace"
and great yexations" also lisa 1922.
Our Lord has prophesied even greater
calamities in the last days of Israels
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 429-31;
Judges 10:10-16; Ps. 106:44, 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 ". 6; Judges ga;
lisa. 1866 and was an exhortation
". y that Asa should remember and
that he should work as we'll. We, too,
are taught to "despise not prophesy-
ing Il Thess. 5:20) and to work."
John 6:2S; Phil, 2:12; Matt. 21:2S;
II Thess. 3;1O). At the same lime there
is for us a sure reward ". I; Matt.
1914, AZ; / Cor. 1885, Col. 3:24;
Heb. 6:10; 10:35).
u. Righteousness Executed, w. BIS.
(D The Kings Part, w. 8, 9. Asa
had shown himself worthy of this spe-
cial revelation from God; (a) his con
duct (l4:2, g. 81; (b) his words of
command and exhortation Q4:D;
(c) his care for and service in be-
half of others (14:6O); I'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"-a word of commendation
will revive any weary heart. (b) 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 (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 elevating or professedly religious,
that measures not according to this
word, should be torn down. (c) But
Asa was constructive as we'll as de-
structiye 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 (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 (Ps.
1858, 4; Amos 5:4, g.. Those who
seek him find him (Ps 14:2). To seek
him is pleasing to him, but 1t must be
as theirs, with all their SOUL We
find God in Christ (Johr 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). (d) They gave public
testimony of their determination ". |
1D. Loud protestations are not al
ways permanent, still there must be
an open confession (Rom. 1919, 10; |
Matt. 1O:32). Their confession was
accompanied by music. There is no
joy like that which comes with a new
faith, new sense of Gods love, a
real revival. te) Lastly, the people
found rest" or rather it was given"
to them. In verse five there was mo
peace; now, after having earnestly
sought him ". 15), "a rest was given"
which they had not been able to find.
This is ready for all who truly seek
him (Judges 3:9: Matt. 11:2S. 29l.