Day 176 – 1 Kings 15, 2 Chronicles 13-16

Talking Points

• As we read these accounts in 1st and 2nd Samuel, 1st and 2nd Kings, and in the Chronicles all stacked together, it begins to confirm the value of reading the Bible chronologically. The historical order takes shape, helping us make sense of what would otherwise be almost impossible to discern. We see why the nation has a king, why there was a split, and what that produces. Most of all, we see God’s faithfulness through it all. God’s plan marches forward, and history confirms it!
• As the listing of kings continues, there is one distinguishing description — either they walked with God, doing what was right in His sight, or they walked in sin, dishonoring His name. I wonder, if my life were to be summed up in one such sentence, what would it be? Thankfully, as believers, our sin, failings, and wandering hearts are all hidden in the righteousness of Christ!
• Throughout today’s verses, we see the call and the blessing of wholly committing our hearts to God. King Asa was successful as long as his sole trust was in the LORD.

Thoughts

In these verses, we find a sadly reoccurring enigma. Asa walked with God, seeking to honor Him. As a result, he saw God’s great blessing and witnessed the LORD work powerfully. The Bible says God literally fought on Asa’s behalf, giving him otherwise impossible success. Asa knew it! And, then, for some unexplainable reason, Asa began to look other places for direction and success. It would seem these other places were more logical or more prudent, had he not already witnessed God’s faithfulness. First, he looked to another king for strength and protection. Then, when sick, he sought others’ advice. The Bible says, “even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but the physicians” (2 Chronicles 16:12). Very simply, Asa turned to the world.

Today, we need to be confidently sure that God’s Word is Truth. In it, we have everything we need for faith and life as a follower of Jesus Christ. Once we’ve seen God move powerfully in our salvation, we don’t need to seek anything else from the world. As radical as it seems, our go-to source is God, and His voice is heard in His Word.

Lord, help us to seek You first and foremost. Thank You that when we do, You can always be found!