By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
2 Chronicles 14:2-4 "Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God. He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He commanded Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and to obey his laws and commands…" - NIV
This is how king Asa started his reign as king. The list of victories in battle and great reforms he brought to Judah goes on in chapter 15 where he led the nation in covenant renewal with God. He whole heartedly loved, worshipped and served God in his kingship. As a result, God gave him rest from his enemies from all sides.
The turning point came in his 36th year when Baasha, king of Israel came to attack Judah. Instead of seek God as he had always done, he went to the king of Aram. He took gifts of silver and gold from God’s house. God wasn’t happy and sent a prophet to rebuke him. Asa was very angry with the prophet and locked him up. He was inflicted with a severe disease and refused to seek God for help. He had hardened his heart to God and died in the process.
And so a great reformer, wonderful leader ended so badly. How could it be? Why do some great men and women end so miserably, shipwrecked in their faith? Asa turned his heart away from the God he had known and worshiped all his life, to men for help. He backslade in heart. It is important never to forget what sustained you all this long. When enemy deception, trust in your own experience, skill and abilities make you turn away from God, it will surely be a sad ending! It is God’s will that we finish strong, ever trusting in Him.
Ecclesiastes 7:8 "The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride."
1 Corinthians 10:11-12 "These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!"
Shalom children of God.