“But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded. When Asa heard this message, he took courage and removed all the detestable idols from the land of Judah and Benjamin…he repaired the altar of the LORD…Asa called together all the people…they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD with all their heart…they shouted out their oath of loyalty to the LORD…they earnestly sought after God, and they found him.”
2 Chronicles 15:7-15 NLT
Has anyone ever asked you, “So, what about YOU? What are YOU gonna do?” When the prophet reminded King Asa about Israel’s problems after they abandoned God, he challenged Asa to be different, “But as for YOU…be strong and courageous!”
King Asa needed a strong and courageous heart to DO the work ahead of him. Entering into a covenant to seek the LORD was one thing, but agreeing to put to death anyone who did not was another! Declaring their oath of loyalty to God was one thing, but blasting it out with trumpets and rams’ horns was another. Removing detestable idols was one thing, but removing his sinful grandmother from leadership was another! Those kinds of actions flow only from a HEART that is completely faithful. (v 17)
The courage to act began in Asa’s heart. He chose to earnestly seek God with all his heart, and THEN God kept His promise—both he and his people found HIM. Through that beautiful relationship, God gave them great joy and peace with all their enemies.
Relationship with God can also give us the most sought-after treasures of life—joy and peace! BOTH are gifts from God when we earnestly seek HIM with ALL our hearts!
As for you—what will YOU do today to have joy and peace in YOUR life?
