The Dolores star., 1922-03-24

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REFERENCE MATERIAL-II chron.
N:l3-ls; lisa. N:i0-l3.
| PRIMARY ToP1c-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. 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
will OF his own. an. though young
when he came to the throne, inaguIat-
ed campaign of reform which
brought great good He not only had
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
IS :13). In order to carry out his re-
formatory measures he had 10 wrest
authority from her by deposng her.
Asa did that which was good and right
in the eyes Of the Lord ". y.
l. Cleared the land of idolatrous
emblems and images wv. 3. 81. p
Strange affairs. These were the affairs
devoted to other gods. t2) High
places. These We're places where un-
lawful sacrifices were offered. (3)
Broke down the images. These were
upright stones connected with idola-
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 II the ref
ormation was to be effective 1t must
be by the positive seeking after and
worshiping of God. accompanied by
obedience to His commandments De-
structive work avaiIs little unless fol-
lowed by constructive.
u. Asa's Defensive Preparations
wv 6-S).
]. Built fortified cities ". 6). The
cities are not named, but the meaning.
doubtless, is that 1t was general sys-
TEN of defense which involved the
cities at strategic points.
2, He erected walls about the
cities ". y. These were usually of
stone. Upon the walls were observa-
tion towers from which the position
and movements Of the enemy could be
seen. and from which defensive war
fare could be waged
8. Made gates and barred them
w. 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 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 a 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.
de 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. II, 12). He
cried unto the Lord. He sought the
source Of national power. In this
prayer note "a his conscious helpless
Ac hn no Euyntiap
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-rellance, 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 the,
could win the victory. One man will
God is a majority. (3) Reposes faitl
in God. The word "rest" means Il
lean upon-to cast the entire weight
| upon. In the measure that we realize
our need of support will we lear
hard upon God. ~ Advanced cou
rageously. He went forth dependin,
does not wait until 1t sees its wa,
clear, but goes forth expecting God t,
clear the way. (5) Flung himsel
upon Gods arms. 20 Lord, thou ar
our God" His cause was Gods cause
II God has taken us for His people
and If we have taken Him for our God
no enemy can prevail against US. Ma.
we experimentally say, Thou art m.
God" and hear Him say II am tn,
God!"
8. The Egyptians smitten ". 12)
The enemy fed before Isreal and coul,
not recover themselves.