Middletown transcript., 1922-04-01

SOu.
JUNIOR ToPIC-God Helping Asa.
INTERMEDIATE 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. 1-5).
Asa was the grandson of Rehoboam.
Both his grandfather and father
favored idolatry, but in spite of this
record of his ancestors, Asa had
VIII of his own, an though -oung
when he came to the throne, inagurat-
ed campaign Of reform which
the handicap of the idolatry and i'm
mortality fostered by the two former
kings, but he had to contend against
the influence Of his mother who had
encouraged immoral worship Il Kings
1919. In order to carry out his re.
formatory measures Ia had TO wrest
authority from her by deposing her.
Asa did that which was good and right
In the eyes Of the Lord ". p.
!. Cleared the land Of idolatrous
emblems and images wv. 8, 81. (D
Strange altars. These were the affairs
devoted to other gods. (2) High
places. These were places where un-
lawful sacrifices were offered. (3)
Broke down the images. These were
upright stones connected with idola-
tror5 worship. (4) Cut down the
groves. These were trees or poles
connected with tree worship. He had
all these relies Of ldolatry destroyed
In Jerusalem and other cities through
ut his kingdom.
2. Comm. 1ed Judah to seek the
Lord ". ~. He knew that If the ref
ormation was to be effective 1t must
be by the positive seeking after and
obedience to His commandments. De-
structive work avaus little unless fol-
lowed by constr uctive.
II. Asa's Defensive Preparations
| wv. 6-S).
| l. Built fortified cities ". g.. The
cities are not named, but the meaning,
doubtless, is that 1t was general sys-
TEN Of defense which involved the
titles at strategic points.
2, He erected walls about the
cities (v. y. These were usually of
stone. Upon the walls were observa-
iion towers from which the position
and movements Of the enemy could be
seen, and from which defensive war
fare could be waged.
3. Made gates and barred them
". ,. The reason h. 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 were also protected
with large shields. The army was
made up of 100000 brave men. They
were prepared to wage an offensive
as well as defensive war.
III. Asa's Victory Over Zerah, the
Ethiopian wv. 9-12).
/. Asa set the battle In array ".
10Y. He went out to meet the enemy
- first made 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
.. Asa's prayer wv. II, 1o). He
cried unto the Lord. He sought the
source Of national power. In this
prayer note () his conscious helpless.
ness. AS he faced the Egyptian army
two to one against him, he was clearly
conscious of his impotency. The first
requisite in obtaining help from God
Is conscious weakness. The Christian
conquers not by self-reliance, but by
self-distrust and faith In God. (2) Ap-
peals to God for help. He knew that
though they were helpless before the
mighty enemy. with Gods help they
could win the victory. One man with
God Is a majority. (3) Reposes faith
in God. The word "rest" 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. az Advanced cou.
rageously He went forth depending
upon God to fight for him. Reel faith
does not wait until 1t sees its way
clear, but goes forth expecting God to
clear the way. (5) tiung himself
upon Gods arms. 20 Lord, thou art
our God" His cause was Gods cause
If God has taken us for His people
and if we have taken Him for our God
no enemy can prevail against us. May
we experimentally say, "Thou art my
God" and hear Him say. II am thy
GOd!"
3. The Egyptians smitten ". 12).
The enemy fled before Isreal and could
not recover themselves.