Asa Part 2

What would you do if an army of a million people came against you, ready to kill you and plunder your people and take them as slaves? For context, that’s 76% of Maine’s entire population.

In a time of peace under Asa’s reign, we read in 2 Chronicles 14:9-10 that, “Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and 300 chariots, and came as far as Mareshah. And Asa went out to meet him, and they drew up their lines of battle in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.”

Asa had an army only a little over half that size, at 580,000. So what does he do? He cries to the LORD for help. “And Asa cried to the LORD his God, ‘O LORD, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, you are our God; let not man prevail against you’” (v. 11). And the result was that “the LORD defeated the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled” (v. 12).

When faced with a near impossible battle, Asa called on the One who could fight the battle for His people, God Almighty. He did not call on another nation, he did not rely on the number of his horses, but he relied on Yahweh, their covenant King. And Yahweh both protected His people and gave them great victory.

I wonder if there’s not a lesson in here for us. When faced with an impossible task, what do you do? Do you trust in your own strength? Do you start to panic? Do you start to doubt God’s goodness? Or do you lean into your covenant King, Jesus Christ, and call on Him to fight your battles, believing that He is “the commander of the army of the LORD” (Jos. 5:14)?

Here in part 2 of looking at the life of Asa, we see that God comes to His people’s aid when His people call on Him for help, especially in times of trouble. Friend, do not trust in your own wisdom or cunning or strength or financial stronghold, trust in Yahweh.

Prayer: Father, when there seems to be no possible way in certain situations, help me to know you are the Way Maker. Help me to put my trust in you alone, knowing that throughout history, you have never failed your people. When I’m tempted to put my trust in financial resources or human wisdom or the alliances of the world, help me to remember, “No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD” (Prov. 21:30-31).

~ Pastor Alexander