PrintSo Asa's kingdom enjoyed a period of peace. (2 Chron 14:5 NLT). But Asa was wise enough to realise that peace in the land was not an invitation to relax and let down his guard. There were enemies all around and Asa knew that the time would come when one or more of those enemies would come against Judah in combat.
So Asa did not become complacent. He was constantly on guard and used this period of peace to build and fortify the cities. We, too, need to heed the many calls in Scripture to be alert to the reality of our enemy (1 Peter 5/8). Putting on the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6) is not just a suggestion. It is a command. What is important to note is that Asa gave all the credit and glory to the Lord.
The land is ours because we sought the LORD our God, and he has given us rest from our enemies." (14/7 NLT).
Bringing this truth into our contemporary situation is vital for we, too, need to recognise that all that we have and all that we are is because we sought the Lord and we have entered into His rest through the provision of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Well, sure enough, in due course an enemy attacked with a force far greater than that of the Kingdom of Judah. So what was Asa to do? He knew that their deliverance in the past was due to God being with them and fighting for them. So he prayed.
"O LORD, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde. O LORD, you are our God; do not let mere men prevail against you!" (2 Chron 14:11 NLT)
The outcome reads thus
So the LORD defeated the Ethiopians in the presence of Asa and the army of Judah, and the enemy fled. 14:12-13
What a fascinating way to describe the answer to Asa's prayer! I would have expected something like "the Lord helped Asa defeat the enemy" or "Asa's arm was strengthened by the Lord in order that he could win the battle". It was as if Asa and his army were spectators, not participants. It was One against a million which sounds like impossible odds until we realise who the One is. The Lord God Almighty.
