About a week ago I read about King Asa in 2 Chronicles 14-16. His Great-Grandfather was Wise Solomon, who along with King David, governed over Israel during its Golden Age. Between Solomon and Asa, the nation had split. When Asa came to power, the gold had been stripped from Israel by the hands of neighboring kings. Asa enjoyed a long season of peace early in his reign and used the time well. He repaired the fortress cities built by Rehoboam and called his people to return to their God. He called upon the Lord when Judah is threatened by Cushite invaders and God comes to their aid. You should read all about it for yourself, don't take my word for it.
In 1 Chronicles 15 a man named Azariah came to speak with King Asa. I've been meditating on his message for about a week and it feels so timely. You can read it in 1 Chronicles 15:1-7. Arariah's message has 3 points that I think are very applicable for today.
1) God wants us to seek Him and promises to reveal Himself to us when we do. "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."
2) God uses troubling times to try to draw us back to Himself when we do forsake Him. In times of unrest, He wants us to seek Him for solutions, resolution, and peace. His goal isn't to crush us or punish us, His goal is repentance and reconciliation (See verses 3-6).
3) "But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." (verse 7). This was spoken to King Asa in response to his spiritual reform both personally and nationally, but it seems so timely to all of us. Don't give up. I know it's difficult to balance your own work responsibilities while supporting your child while they do school at home. (See that pile of backpacks in my living room! This isn't how life normally is.) I know it's tough to practice Covid precautions when you have to give up some freedoms. I know it's difficult to miss your loved ones at a holiday because you are taking quarantine precautions. I know it's hard to be unable to work due to the slow economy and illness. But . .
Do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.
