King Asa took the throne following two generations of idol-worshipers. Unlike his father and grandfather, Asa was devout:
“Asa did what was right in the Lord’s eyes, as his ancestor David had done” 1 Kings 15:11.
“Asa’s heart was completely devoted to the Lord his entire life” 1 Kings 15:14.
“Asa did what was good and right in the sight of the Lord his God” 2 Chronicles 14:2.
“No one made war with him because the Lord gave him rest” 2 Chronicles 14:6.
Near the end, God sent a prophet to encourage Asa: “Be strong. Don’t be discouraged, for your work has a reward” 2 Chron. 15:7. But when Israel was invaded, Asa sought help from an enemy nation rather than from the Lord. God rebuked him. “You have been foolish in this matter” 2 Chronicles 16:9. Then Asa developed a foot problem. “Yet even in his disease he didn’t seek the Lord but only the doctors” 2 Chronicles 16:12.
Even in his disease he did not seek God? How could Asa forget God, after all those years of faithfulness? I’ll wager it was pride. After all, he was the king. Perhaps one day he looked around and said, “look at the great things I have done.” That’s all it takes. He took his eyes off God and put them on himself.
Imagine running a marathon. It is 26.2 miles from Marathon to Athens—thus the traditional length of the race. What if you trained all year, and ran fast on race day, but fell down in exhaustion after 26 miles? Only 385 yards separate you from your goal. Get up and finish! You can walk. Crawl if you must. But FINISH!
Some people accomplish great things then blow it at the end by scandal. The amazing phenomenally gifted speaker Ravi Zacharias died a few years ago and was honored by the world. Only after his death did we discover his many failures. I was a huge fan!
He DID NOT FINISH WELL.
“For you have need of endurance, brethren, so that you may not lose what you have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward” Hebrews 10:36.
ENDURE! FINISH WELL!
Dear God, never let us become proud, taking credit for your amazing work in our lives. Keep us humble and obedient and worshipful and faithful to the very end. Help us FINISH WELL!
ΑΩ
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