Starting strong,finishing weak (Bitterness Part 2)
Starting strong, finishing weak: spirit of bitterness
Finishing strong should be the main focus at any stage of life, but it was not so with king Asa of Judah (2 Chronicles 14 – 16)
2 Chronicles 14:1-15
• He started off very well by doing what was right before the LORD his God. He removed/smashed all altars, high places, sacred stones, Asherah poles and incense altars – all meant for idol worship.
• Called Judah to worship only the LORD, built fortified cities, God gave him rest from war on every side and prospered.
• After 10 years, Zerah the Cushite marched against Judah with thousands upon thousands of soldiers and 300 chariots, Judah had a small army of 300,000 men.
Asa prayed against this imminent threat, [“Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. Lord, you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you.”, v11 NIV]. God gave him victory.
2 Chronicles 15:1-19:
Asa was commended by God for his good work in carrying out spiritual reforms, v7.
After eliminating idol worship, he repaired the LORD’s altar in the temple, v8.
He even removed/deposed his grandmother from her position as ‘queen mother’ for supporting idol worship, v16.
v17 “His heart was FULLY committed to the LORD all his life”
For another 35 years, he enjoyed peace in his reign – no more war, v19.
2 Chronicles 16:1-13 – His later years:
Although God had given him victory previously, when Baasha king of Israel attacked him, he bribed Ben-Hadad King of Aram with silver and gold from the temple for military support.
Hanani the seer/prophet rebuked him for this foolish mistake of TRUSTING on Ben Hadad instead of the LORD his God, v7-8. He forgot that, [“the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him”. v9 NIV]. He did not repent, and he was promised war.
Asa was so ANGRY with the seer/prophet {bitter with God and his servant} for being rebuked, in RAGE he put him in prison and became BRUTAL, v10. In his 39th year of his reign he was afflicted with a severe disease in his feet…….. [“Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians.”, v12]
**King Asa died a BITTER man (deep anger,uncontrollable anger) with God. Bitterness hinders what may appear small like forgiving & asking God for forgiveness**
Bitterness makes people to miss God’s saving grace, it has a DEEP ROOT– Hebrews 12:15, and only by surrendering to God’s will can it be uprooted.
Chaplain Stephen.
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