Wednesday, July 09, 2014

Take Courage, Weary Mama


At a recent women's day mini-conference at our church, one passage mentioned was in 2 Chronicles. I've spent a lot of time here in recent days between chapters 14-20.

First, we see King Asa coming to power. He was a good guy who did the right thing. I love verse 6, "No one was at war with him during those years, for the Lord gave him rest."

And, the second half of verse 7, "The land is still ours, because we have sought the Lord our God; we sought him and he has given us rest on every side."

A few verses later {vs. 11}- a large army is coming out to attack them and he prays and calls out to God, "Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O Lord, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you."

I love this and this is just the tip of the iceberg of Asa's story. He follows God and sets a good example for his people and he seeks God when he doesn't know what to do. Do I think he felt overwhelmed at the knowledge of this army attacking? Very possibly, and I know he felt powerless because he says so in verse 11.

This is also great because we know that God will receive glory for being at work in a scenario like this. It will further his name.


Chapter 15 opens with Azariah the prophet coming to see Asa and remind him of both the benefits of following God and the consequences of choosing not to follow God.

15:2b, "The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you."

15:4, "But in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them."

15: 7, "'But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.' When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage."

He.took.courage.

And, did you catch the part about being strong and not giving up? Oh, yes, my heart needed this.

I once heard encouragement explained as a courage transfusion. Hook me up, please?!


One more thought for today -

15:12, "They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul."

15:15, "All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the Lord gave them rest on every side."

There are some beautiful courage-giving words in there: seek the Lord, wholeheartedly, eagerly, he was found and gave them rest.

Need a courage transfusion today? Connect yourself with the life-giving words found between the covers of your Bible and let the Living Word speak.

2 Chronicles 19:11b, "Act with courage, and may the Lord be with those who do well."