The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1922-03-23
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
Sl11nldayScllool
' Lesson '
By RkN 4 h. flIZWATER, y, D..
Teacher Of English Bible IN the Moody
Bible Institute Of ChicagoJ
copyrght. ig22, western Newspaper Union
LESSON FOR APRIL 2
ASA RELIES ON GOD

LESSON TENTH Chronicles H1-2
GOLDEN TENT-Help US, o Lord our
God for we rest on Thee.-Il Chron al
REFERENCE MATER1AIs-II Chron.
bl3-l6, lisa. 4Ilo-13
PRIMARY TOpIC-A King who Trusted
God
JUNIOR TOPIC-God Helping Asa.
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOPIC
A Ruler who Relied on God
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
The Source Of Personal and National
Power
!. Asa's Reformation wv. 10y.
Asa was the grandson of RehobOam,
Both his grandfather aud father
favored idolatry, but in spite Of this
record of his ancestors, Asa had
will Of his own, am though young
when he came TO the throne, inagurat-
ed campaign Of reform which
brought great good lie not only had
the handicap Of the idolatry and Inn
mortality foStered by the two former
kings, but he had to contend against
the influence of his mother who had
encouraged immoral worship q Kings
40. In order to carry out his re
formatory measures he had 20 wrest
authority from her by deposing her.
Asa did that which was good and right
in the eyes Of the Lord ". y.
!. Cleared the land Of idolatrous
emblems and images wv. g. ~. O
Strange affairs These were the affairs
devoted tO other gods. (2) High
places. These were places where un-
Affn
Broke down the images. These were
upright stones connected with idOa-
trous worship. (4) Cut down the
groves These were trees or poles
connected with tree worship. He had
all these relics OF idolatry destroyed
in Jerusalem and other cities through
out his kingdom.
2. Commanded Judah to seek the
Lord ". ~. He knew that If the ref
ormation was to be effective IL must
he by the positive seeking after and
worshiping Of God. accompanied by
obedience to His commandments. De
Structive work avaus little unless fol-
lowed 10y constructive.
a. Ass's Defensive Preparations
(vv. 6-S).
/. Built fortified cities ". 81. The
cities are not named. but the meaning,
doubtless, is that II was general sys-
tenn of defense which involved the
cities at strategic points.
., He erected walls about the
| cities ". ~. These were usually Of
stone Upon the walls were observa-
| ton towers from which the position
/ and movements Of the enemy could be
seen. and from which defensive war
fare could he waged.
3. Made gates and barred them
". y. The reason he assigns for
these defensive preparations was that
they had sought the Lord God. Those
who really trust God will make every
effort to provide defense.
4. Had an army of spearmen ". 81.
These spearmen we're also protected
with large shields. The army was
made up Of 10000 brave men. They
were prepared to wage an offensive
as well as defensive war.
~. Ass's Victory over zerah, tho
| Ethiopian wv. 912).
| |. Asa set the battle In array ".
I 10Y. He went out 10 meet the enemy.
/ lie first made a disposition of his
/ means Of defense. This was wisdom
/ on his part. Intelligent faith moves
( the posseSsor TO do first that which
| is within his power.
2 Asa's prayer wv. IL, i2). He
cried unto the Lord He sought the
source Of national power In this
prayer note O) his conscious helpless
ness. As he faced the Egyptian army
two 10 one against him. he was clearly
conscious of his impotency. The first
requisite i'm obtaining help from God
Is conscious weakness The Christian
conquers not by self-rehance, but by
Self-distruSt and faith In God. (2) APP
pealS 10 God for help. He knew that
though they we're helpless before the
mighty enemy. with Gods help they
could win the victory. one man with
God is majority. (3) RepoSeS faith
in God The word crest" means to
lean upon--to cast the entire weight
upon. In the measure that We realize
our need Of support will We lean
hard upon God ~ Advanced COu-
rageously. lie went forth depending
upon God 20 fight for him Real faith
does not wait until II sees its way
clear, hut goes forth expecting God to
clear the way (6 hung himself
upon Gods arms. 80 Lord, thou art
our God" His cause was Gods cause.
II God has taken MS for His people,
and II We have taken Him for our God,
no enemy can prevail against Us. May
we eXpermentally say, Thou art my
God" and hear Him say Il am thy
/ God"
3. The Egyptians smitten ". l2).
/ The enemy fed before lsreal and could