Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1922-03-31
|. Asa's Reformation wv. l.5).


Asa was the grandson of Rehoboam'
Both his grandfather and father
favored idolatry, but in spite of this
record Of his ancestors, Asa hnd
will of his own, an though "oung
when he came 10 the throne, inagurat-
ed campaign Of reform when
Drought great good. He not only had
| the hasdlcap of the idoIatry ana I'M
mortality foStered by tie two former
Kings, 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 10 wreSt
authority from her by deposlng her.
Asa did that which was good and right
In the eyes Of The Lord g. ~.
l. Cleared the land Of idoatrouS
emblems and images (yy 3, - %
Strange affairs. These were the affairs
devoted to other gods t2) High
places. These were places whore I'M
lawful sacrifices were offered CD
Broke down the images. These were
upright stones connected with idoa-
trors worship % Cut down the
groves. These were trees or poles |
connected with tree worship lie had |
all these relics Of idoatry destroyed |
In Jerusalem ana other cities through
ut his kingdom
, Comm led Judah to seek the
Lord ". A. He knew that II the rcf
ormntion WAS to be effective it must
be by the positive seeking after and
worshlping Of God. accompanied by
obedience to His commandments. De.
structive work ayailS little unless fol
lowed by constructive.
II. Asa's Defensive Preparations
wv G.S).
/. Built fortified cities ". g. The
cities are not named but the meaning,
doubtless, is that II was a general sys-
ten Of defense which involved the
cities at strategic points.
2, lie erected walls about the
cities ". ~ These were usually Of
stone, Upon the walls we're 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
were prepared TO wage an offensive
MS 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.
Il first made n disposition of his
means OF defense. This was wisdom
IN his part. Intelligent faith moves
he posseSsor to do first that which
S within his power.
.. Asa's prayer wv. II, 12). He
'ried unto the Lord. He sought the
source of national power. In this
PRAYER note ~ his conscious helpless.
less. As he faced the Egyptian army
wo to one against him, he was clearly
conscious Of his impotency. The first
equisite In obtaining help from God
s conscious weakness. The Christian
'onquers not by self-rellance, but by
elf-dlstrust and faith In God. (2) Ap
,eals TO God for help. He knew that
hough they were helpless before the
mighty enemy. with Gods help they
ould win the victory. One man with
iod is a majority t3) Reposes faith
n God. The wort "rest" means &c
can upon-to cast the entire weight
pOn. In the measure that we realize
ur need of support will we lear
ard upon God. az Advanced cou =
ageously. He went forth depending
pom God to fight for him. Reel faith
oes not wait until 1t sees its way
lear, but goes forth expecting God to
lear the way. (5) hung himself
pom Gods arms. 20 Lord, thou art
UT God" His cause was Gods cause
I God has taken us for His people,
nd II we have taken Him for our God
o enemy can prevail against us. May
re experlmentally say, Thou art my
3d." and hear HIM say, II am thy
odw
g. The Egyptians smitten ". 12).
he enemy fed before Isreal and could
OF recover themselves.