- “In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of Asa, Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might let none go out or come into Asa king of Judah.
- Then Asa brought silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the LORD and of the king’s house, and sent to Ben-Hadad king of Syria, who dwelt in Damascus, saying,
- “Let there be a treaty between you and me… come, break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.
- And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: “Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and HAVE NOT RELIED ON THE LORD YOUR GOD, therefore THE ARMY OF THE KING OF SYRIA HAS ESCAPED FROM YOUR HAND.”
2 Chronicles 16:1-3,7 (NKJV)
• If you have been relying on God for help especially when you were lowly, but when things changed, you experienced lifting; what you used to trust God for, you begin to trust self or man for—this could make God withdraws His backing from you.
- If you used to trust God to meet your needs through prayer of faith, and God has always been faithful–whenever a need arises in your life or family, God has been faithful to meet the need, even at your lowly state.
- But now that God has changed your story, what you used to handle with prayer, you rather approach carnally.
- “Now the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded.
- And he went out to meet Asa, and said to him: “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. THE LORD IS WITH YOU WHILE YOU ARE WITH HIM. IF YOU SEEK HIM, HE WILL BE FOUND BY YOU; BUT IF YOU FORSAKE HIM, HE WILL FORSAKE YOU.”
2 Chronicles 15:1,2 (NKJV)
• God who helped Asa against the Ethiopians, who were a million plus in number (2 Chronicles 14:11-15); Would He not have helped him against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, who were lesser in number and might, compared with the Ethiopians? (2 Chronicles 16:1,7,8).
“Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, BECAUSE YOU RELIED ON THE LORD, He delivered them into your hand.”
2 Chronicles 16:8 (NKJV)
• Some believers when the LORD moved them to another level of comfort, that is, they experienced lifting in what they do; then they decided to abandon their responsibilities in the kingdom–they are no longer useful for God.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the WORK of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV)
- Comfort and success can make you complacent and lessen your trust in God—if you do not know how to handle them.
- When God blesses you, that is the time to seek Him the more (1 Kings 11:1-11).
- Comfort and blessing should deepen your trust in God, not to lessen it.
- Some have abandoned their love for God because of the blessings they received from Him (Revelation 2:4).
- “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
- “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works…”
Revelation 2:4,5 (NKJV)
• The time of comfort is the time to be more fervent in the LORD.
- If God has blessed you and has made you comfortable; He has done it that you may serve Him the more (Luke 1:74,75).
- God’s blessing should not be a reason for lukewarmness or apathy in your relationship with Him.
- “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
- So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
- Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.”
Revelation 3:15-17 (NKJV)
• Repent and do the first work that you have abandoned.
• You will not fail in Jesus’ name.
Peace!