Topic: Faith That Fails Not [Saturday October 28, 2017]
Text: 1 Kings 15:16-24
Key Verse: “There is a league between me and thee, and between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent unto thee a present of silver and gold; come and break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me” (1 Kings 15:19).
“The Bible,” A.W. Tozer asserted, “recognizes no faith that does not lead to obedience, nor does it recognize any obedience that does not spring from faith. The two are opposite sides of the same coin.” This was what Asa, who ruled Judah for 41 years, could not realise. As a reformer, he embarked on total cleansing of his kingdom with the removal of the priests, who engaged in immorality.
He also destroyed all the idols, including the one that his grandmother erected, and even removed her from being queen because of her involvement in idol worship. He was quite sincere in his reformation agenda. The in-depth account of his reign in 2 Chronicles 16 revealed that when Baasha, king of Israel attacked Judah, Asa did not trust God anymore for assistance.
Instead, he bribed Benhadad, king of Syria with gifts to break up all military relations with Israel to make Baasha end the attacks against his kingdom. Benhadad agreed and attacked some cities in Israel, which made Baasha to withdraw his offensive on Judah. Prophet Hanani, reprimanded him, reminding him of the good outcome of his trust in God when the Ethiopians and the Libyans came against Judah. Instead of repenting in dust and ashes, Asa put the prophet in prison.
Some contemporary Christians are like Asa. They begin to serve God very well but with time, they throw their faith to the wind. They often resort to self-management or carnal support. Is God dead or on vacation? No. He says, “call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me” (Psalm 50:15). We must learn to always trust Him completely in every situation. Our resolve during perplexing moment must be to trust less in the arms of flesh but fully in the everlasting arms.
Thought for the day: He who faints in the day of adversity has a limited strength.
Bible Reading in one Year: Songs 5-8
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
