The Jasper news., 1922-03-30
]. Asa,s ReformatIon Nv. 10.

Power.
!. Asa's Reformation (vy. 1-5).
Asa was the grandson Of Rehoboam,
Both his grandfather and father
favored IdoIatry, but in spite Of this
record Of his ancestors, Asa had
will Of his own, anu though young
when he came to the throne, inagurat-
ed a 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
1919. In order to carry out his re-
formatory measures he had 10 wrest
authority from her by deposlng her.
Asa did that which was good and right
In the eyes Of the Lord ". -.
/. Cleared the land Of idolatrous
emblems and images wv. 8, 81. (D
Strange affairs. These were the affairs
devoted to other gods. (2) High
places. These were places where I'M
lawful sacrifices were offered. (8)
Broke down the images. These were
upright stones connected with idola-
trous worship. (D 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
ormntion was to be effective II must
be by the positive seeking after and
worshipIng Of God. accompanied by
obedience to His commandments. De-
structive work avals little unless fol-
lowed by constructive.
70. Asa's Defensive Preparations
| wv. 6-S).
1. Built fortified cities ". 81. The
cities are not named, but the meaning,
doubtless, is that 1t was a general sys-
tern 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 Obserya-
tlon towers from which the position
and movements OF the enemy could be
seen, and from which defensive war
fare could be waged.
5. Made gates and barred them
| ". -. 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 $4,000 brave men. They
were prepared to wage an offensive
| a. well as a defensive war.
~. Asa's Victory Over zsrah, the
Ethiopian wv. 9-12).
j. Asa set the battle In array ".
10). He wert 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
10 within his power.
2. Asa's prayer wv. 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 Grst
requisite In obtaining help from God
is conscious weakness. The Christian
conquers not by self-rehance. but by
self-dIstrust and faith In God. (2J APP
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 majority. (3l Reposes faith
in God. The word rest" means 70
lean up0n--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 night for him. Real faith
does not wait until It sees lts way
clear, but goes forth expecting God to
clear the way. go k1ung himself
upon Ged's arms. 20 Lord, thou art
/ our God" His cause wss Gods cause,
II God has taken Us for His people,
and II We have taken HIN FOR our God
no enemy can prevail against M. May
we experimenfally say, Thou art my
God. and hear Him say. Il am thy
Godr'
5. The Egyptians Emltten ". 12).
i rrha ananv flad i,aforn Isreal and eolIid