David Bahn – Reflections

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These devotions are part of the Follow the Word Bible reading program at St. John Lutheran Church in Cypress, Texas. This year we are reading through the Scriptures together, listening for how God speaks through his Word day by day. I hope you will join me on this journey.

Today’s readings are 2 Chronicles 14-16, Psalm 4.

2 Chronicles 14:1-7

When Abijah died, he was buried in the City of David. Then his son Asa became the next king. There was peace in the land for ten years. ² Asa did what was pleasing and good in the sight of the LORD his God. ³ He removed the foreign altars and the pagan shrines. He smashed the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah poles. ⁴ He commanded the people of Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their ancestors, and to obey his law and his commands. ⁵ Asa also removed the pagan shrines, as well as the incense altars from every one of Judah’s towns. So Asa’s kingdom enjoyed a period of peace. ⁶ During those peaceful years, he was able to build up the fortified towns throughout Judah. No one tried to make war against him at this time, for the LORD was giving him rest from his enemies.

⁷ Asa told the people of Judah, “Let us build towns and fortify them with walls, towers, gates, and bars. The land is still ours because we sought the LORD our God, and he has given us peace on every side.” So they went ahead with these projects and brought them to completion.

These chapters are 90% relief from yesterday’s readings! No parade of kings here. Just the account of King Asa’s 41 year reign. He is given 10 years of peace during which he determined to remove the foreign altars and the pagan shrines, smashing the sacred pillars and cutting down the Asherah poles. He commanded the people of Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their ancestors, and to obey his law and his commands. Asa also removed the pagan shrines, as well as the incense altars from every one of Judah’s towns.

The people of Judah enjoy a period of peace which Asa credits to the fact that they sought the LORD [their] God, and he [had] given us peace on every side.

Sadly, however, seeking the LORD and experiencing his blessing of peace does not prevent others with evil intent from attacking or seeking to disturb the peace of the land. In fact that’s exactly what happens. First an army from Ethiopia of 1,000,000 men and 300 chariots attacks. Asa’s response is to turn to God. And with his army of 300,000 men he routs the Ethiopian army sending them away in decisive defeat.

Following this victory Asa not only credited God, but also offered sacrifices to God of 700 cattle and 7,000 sheep. Everything looks so good. Asa is acting so faithfully. He makes a point of seeking God, and the LORD gave them rest from their enemies.

Why is it that even the good kings fail? Asa turns to political alliances rather than seeking the LORD’s help when he is attacked by King Baasha of Israel. And although his alliance is successful in preventing Baasha from defeating Judah, his act of looking to King Ben-hadad of Aram is a sad turn from relying on God. He will end his reign in poor health and plagued by war.

Why is it so hard to remain faithful over the long haul? Even the “good kings” drift. Asa trusted God against an army of a million men but later trusted political alliances more than the LORD. We may not fall into spectacular sin, but we wander too. Pride creeps in. Fear takes over. Trust wavers.

And then I think of the Ethiopian in Acts 8. An enemy from the south becomes a brother in Christ. That is better than military victory, political alliances, or even decades of peace. Jesus does what even good kings never could. He remains faithful where we falter. He forgives us when we stray. And through his Spirit draws wandering people – even enemies – into his kingdom. Asa’s reign ended poorly. Christ’s reign never will.