Owingsville outlook. [volume] (Owingsville, Ky.) 1879-192?, 1922-03-30

NNeA vi AAANN-AA NAAeAA go
REFERENCE WATERFALL Chron
N:lS-ls: lisa. 4l:lO-I2
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. l-5).
Asa was the grandson Of RehobOam
Both his grandfather and father
favored idolatry, but I'm spite Of this
record OF his ancestors, Asa had q
VIII OF his own, an though "OunG
when he came 10 the throne, inagurat
I'd campaign Of reform which
brought great good. He not only had
he handicap OF the idolatry and i'm
mortality foStered by the two former
sings, but he had To contend against
The Influence of his mother who had
encouraged immoral worship q Kings
1919. In order To carry out his re
tormatory measures |. had 20 wrcst
authority from her by depOsing her,
Asa did that which was good and right
In the eyes Of the Lord ". y.
1. Cleared the land OF idOlatrous
emhlems and images (vv. 8. 81. ~
Strange affairs. These were the affairs
devoted to other gods. (2) High
places. These were places where un.
lawful sacrifices were offered. (3)
Rrnlya dn,t-n tho gr,or,c Thcca yrapa
upright stones connected with idola.
trOrs 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
Ut his kingdom.
.. Comm. ded Judah to seek the
Lord ". -. He knew that II the ref
ormation was to be effective It must
be by the positive seeking after AID
worshipinG of God. accompanied by
obedience 10 His commandments. De
structive work avaiIs little unless fol-
lowed by constructive.
%. Ass's Defensive Preparations
wv. 6-S).
1. Built fortified cities ". 81. The
cities are not named. but the meaning
doubtless, is that IL was a general sys-
TEN 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 he
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 we're also protected
with large shields. The army was
made up Of $4,000 brave men. They
we're prepared 10 wage an offensive
as well as a defensive war.
III. Asa's Victory over zerah, the
Ethiopian wv. 9-12).
!. Asa set the battle In array ".
l0). He went out 10 meet the enemy.
T. first made a disposition of lis
means OF defense. This was wisdom
on his part. Intelligent faith moves
the possessor 10 do first that which
Is within his power.
2. Asa's prayer (vv. IL. 12). 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-rehance. hut 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
sould win the victory. One man with
God is a majority. (3) RepOses faith
m God. The word "rest" means 10
lean upOn-to cast the entire weight
upon. In the measure that we realize
eur need Of support will we lean
hard upon God. t4) Advanced cou-
rageously. He went forth depending
upon God TO fight for him. Reel faith
does not wait until IL sees its way
clear. but goes forth expecting God to
clear the way. (5) hung himself
upon Gods arms 20 Lord. thou art
our God" His cause was Gods cause
II God has taken us for His people.
and IL 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
Cod!
8. The Egyptians smitten ". l2,.
The enemy fed before Isreal and could
not recover themselves.