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2 Chronicles Chapter 15 (ESV)
12 And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul, 13 but that whoever would not seek the Lord, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman. 14 They swore an oath to the Lord with a loud voice and with shouting and with trumpets and with horns. 15 And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all around.
16 Even Maacah, his mother, King Asa removed from being queen mother because she had made a detestable image for Asherah. Asa cut down her image, crushed it, and burned it at the brook Kidron. 17 But the high places were not taken out of Israel. Nevertheless, the heart of Asa was wholly true all his days. 18 And he brought into the house of God the sacred gifts of his father and his own sacred gifts, silver, and gold, and vessels. 19 And there was no more war until the thirty-fifth year of the reign of Asa.
REFLECTION:
- Many people find it difficult to dedicate their life to any cause. They are hesitant on anything and afraid to take responsibilities. Asa and Judah were different as they clearly obey God steadfastly. They swore an oath to the Lord with a loud voice and with shouting and with trumpets and with horns, dedicating their loyalty to God. Such steadfast determination pleased God and brought peace to the country. If you want to have peace, you should examine yourself if there is still anything you have not entrusted to God. Entrust everything in your life to God and peace will come to you.
- The Ten Commandments teach us to respect our parents but Asa removed his mother from being queen mother. Although respecting our parents is God’s command, loyalty to God is of the first priority. If you have unbelieving or even idol-worshipping parents, you should still respect them but you must honour God and consider God’s matter first. Use you wisdom and love to lead your parents to God.
PRAYER:
Ask God to examine your heart and reveal the hidden rebellion in you. Dedicate yourself to God and ask Him to give you true peace. Pray for your parents or elder relatives who may be worshipping idols whether tangible or invisible; ask God to give you wisdom and love to relate to them and lead them to abandon the idols and to know God.
HYMN:
“Open the Eyes of My Heart” – www.youtube.com/watch?v=idQ1n3cdgfo
