The Omaha guide., 1934-07-07
Asa's Reformation wv. 1-5l.

Asa was the grandson OF KehObOdm.
Both his grandfather and father "a
Vored idolatry. but when he came to
the throne he ~inaugurated q campaign
OF reform which brought great good.
he not only had the handicap of idol
airy and immortality fostered by two
former kings, but had To contend
against the influence Of his mother who
encouraged immoral worship U Kings
1919. In order to carry out his re-
formatory measures ne had to depoSe
her. Asa did that which was good and
right in the eyes of the Lord ". -.
L. Cleared the land of idolatrous
emblems and images (vv. 3. 81, includ-
Ing ta) strange affairs devoted to 9th
er gods tbl high places where unlaw-
full sacrifices were offered; (c) the up
right stones or images connected with
idolatrous worship; Id the groves
which were associated with gross Ii
~centiousness.
2. Commanded Judah to seek the
Lord ". A.. He knew thar If the re-
formation was to be effective it must
be by the positive seeking after and
worshiping God. accompanied by ODE
dience to his commandments.
II. Asa's Defensive Preparations
GA :6-S).
l. Built fortified cities ". 81. He
provided a general system Of defense
involving the cities at strategic points.
He took advantage Of the years OF
peace at the beginning Of his reign to
make Qualifications.
2 He erected walls about the cities
". y. Upon these stone walls were
observation towers from which the DO
Rition and of the enemy
could be seen, and from which defen-
jsive warfare could be waged.
8. Made gates and barred them
". y. The reason he assigns for
these preparations was that they hadl
sought the Lord. Those who really
trust God will make every effort ted
provide defense.
4. Had an army Of spearmen ". 81
The army was made up of 4S0,O COO
brave men. The spearmen were prof.
itected with large shields and were pre-
pared for offensive as well as defen-
sive war.
III. Asa's Victory over zerah IA:
9-12).
Asa's activity in providing for the
national defense excited surrounding
kings who interpreted his preparation
as an act of aggression.
l. Asa set the battle In array w.
10). He went out to meet the enemy
The disposition Of his army shows hisI
wisdom. Intelligent faith moves the;
Spossessor to do first that which is with,
in his power.
2. Asa's prayer wv. IL, 12). He
cried unto the Lord, the source of ma
Itonal power. In this prayer note:
a. His conscious helplessness, the
first requisite in obtaining help from
iGod.
b. Appeals to God for help, knowing
that with Gods help they could win
tho victory.
c. Reposes faith in God. The WORD
."rest" means to lean upon-to cast
the entire weight upon.
d Advanced c-ourageously. Real
faith does not wait until it sees its
way clear but goes forth expecting God
to clear the way.
e. He flung himself upon God. 20
Lord, thou art our God" His cause
was Gods cause IF God has taken M
for his people, and we have taken him
for our God, no enemy can prevail
against us.
3. The Egyptians smitten ". 12).
The enemy fed before Israel and could
mot recover themselves. Asa pursued
them and overlook them.
w. AzarIah's Message to Asa (1B:
III.
1. The Lord Is with thee wv. 1-e)i
He made It clear that the Lord Is with
those who seek him. aad those wAs
lfersake God shall be forsakan By han
z Be strong w. y. The enc wAe
10 In right relationsAip with God an
goes forth as his representative. n
strong In God. f.
". Asa Entering Int q csvsnanS
with God Us :s-15). +,
Entering into this covenant rsatnnN
nip meant separation froo m idaaj
sery and wieksdnsss. Success o onay,
possible u We sssk d. knrd VIM onz|
wAnsa heart
st. John A. M. f.. Church