We have a short sequence of successes in 2 Chronicles 13 and 14. Yesterday, it was Abijah over Jeroboam: the southern kingdom, Judah, over the northern kingdom, Israel. Judah had the temple and true worship, Israel had the golden calves. “Follow God, pray, fight.”
Today it’s Asa over the Ethiopians. Asa had a good start. First, get rid of bad stuff:
Asa was a good king. He did things right in GOD’s eyes. He cleaned house: got rid of the pagan altars and shrines, smashed the sacred stone pillars, and chopped down the sex-and-religion groves (Asherim). He told Judah to center their lives in GOD, the God of their fathers, to do what the law said, and to follow the commandments. (2 Chronicles 14.2 – 4, MSG)
Next, prepare.
Asa said to his people, “While we have the chance and the land is quiet, let’s build a solid defense system, fortifying our cities with walls, towers, gates, and bars. We have this peaceful land because we sought GOD; he has given us rest from all troubles.” (2 Chronicles 14.7, MSG)
This preparation fits our recent theme of the disciplines:
Also with respect to preparation, our former pastor John Stevens used to say,
The waiting room of the ER is not a good place to work out your theology.
In other words, prepare in advance for hard times. And for Judah, the challenge came in the form of a large Ethiopian army:
Zerah the Ethiopian went to war against Asa with an army of a million plus three hundred chariots and got as far as Mareshah. Asa met him there and prepared to fight from the Valley of Zephathah near Mareshah. Then Asa prayed to GOD, “O GOD, you aren’t impressed by numbers or intimidated by a show of force once you decide to help: Help us, O GOD; we have come out to meet this huge army because we trust in you and who you are. Don’t let mere mortals stand against you!” GOD defeated the Ethiopians before Asa and Judah; the Ethiopians ran for their lives. (2 Chronicles 14.9 – 12, MSG)
Follow God, PREPARE, pray, fight.
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. (Luke 5.16, NIV)
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 26.41, NIV)