Change the Course

Based on 1 Kings 14-16, Psalm 68

"And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days." 1 Kings 14:30.

As we've been reading since Solomon's downfall away from serving God, things haven't been good between the divided kingdoms of Israel & Judah (Rehoboam & Jeroboam). Every king that rose up after these two were mostly disobedient to God, and they each got worse & worse, allowing more sin and abominations into their lives which affected those they ruled over. But one king of Judah decided to change that reputation and change course for the better-and his name was Asa:

"And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father. And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron. But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa's heart was perfect with the Lord all his days." 1 Kings 15:11‭-‬14.

Asa stood for God; he stood for what was right. In the midst of a people who were continuing to fall deeper into sin, including his own mother, Asa did his best to do what he could do to turn back to God & try to help Israel to do the same.

"Then king Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none was exempted: and they took away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded; and king Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah. The rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his might, and all that he did, and the cities which he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? Nevertheless in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet. And Asa slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead." 1 Kings 15:22‭-‬24.

Asa took down what was previously built and tried to re-build that connection which God's people once had with Him. As previously discussed in our last post, it's never too late for a turn-around! We can't fear changing course, especially if we are the only ones! Just look at the way this world is going...if it's not disease attacking on the inside, it's riotous people attacking others on the outside. We have to be sure we surrender our hearts to God in repentance, get baptized in full immersion in water in Jesus' Name, and receive the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in tongues-a new heavenly language! We have to talk the talk of change and walk the walk of change, and it only happens through a true commitment to God! We need to encourage others to do the same!

"Thus did Zimri destroy all the house of Baasha, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake against Baasha by Jehu the prophet, For all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah his son, by which they sinned, and by which they made Israel to sin, in provoking the Lord God of Israel to anger with their vanities." 1 Kings 16:12‭-‬13.

Meanwhile, Baasha was king in Israel, and all the judgment came upon him and the house of Israel (as was prophesied!). Baasha went with the way of the world, how everyone was doing things...except that's not how God wanted things done! Asa cared about how God wanted things done, even if it wasn't popular. How much do we want to see change in our lives? Our families? The world? It starts with us humbling ourselves, following God's plan of salvation, and changing course in a holy, set-apart lifestyle for God!

This passage also begins to mention Ahab, who becomes king & reigns in Israel at the time when Asa reigns in Judah...and he is the worst yet...as we continue to study these kings, let's focus on how we can change course & cause an upward spiral to take place instead of a downward one!

"Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds. O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God."
Psalms 68:34‭-‬35.