For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.” 2 Chron. 16:9 NIV
Asa should be a lesson for us all. He started out with a heart after God and his commands. He destroyed the foreign gods, he stopped the influence of his grandmother, Maacah and trusted God for deliverance. Judah was at peace and prospered.
Somewhere along the line, Asa decided that the God of his fathers, the God who had always been able, was not strong enough. At least, not strong enough to deliver Judah from their fellow brethren, the Israelites under King Baasha. Rather than enlisting help from God, Asa took the gold and silver from the temple and gave it to Ben-Hadad to entice him to break his treaty with Baasha. Everything went downhill from there. He started oppressing the people he was supposed to protect and with a hardened and calloused heart refused to ask God for help, even when his feet became diseased. How does one who started following God and enjoyed the blessing of God's faithfulness make such a dramatic turnaround? How does one stop trusting God?
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