DCLM DAILY MANNA 15 MAY 2021 — FAILURE OF THE ARM OF FLESH
TOPIC: Failure Of The Arm Of Flesh (DCLM Daily Manna 15 May 2021)
TEXT: 2 Chronicles 16:1-14
1 In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
2 Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king’s house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,
3 There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.
4 And Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.
5 And it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease.
6 Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.
7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.
8 Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand.
9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
10 Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.
11 And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.
13 And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.
14 And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries’ art: and they made a very great burning for him.
KEY VERSE: “And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.” – (2 Chronicles 16:7)
MESSAGE:
After World War I, France built a line of concrete fortifications, obstacles and weapon installations named Maginot Line between itself and Germany. This was done to forestall German invasion as World War II approached. The line was thought to be a work of genius and regarded as impregnable. But when the chips were down, the so-called military might of the Maginot Line became useless because Hitler’s men employed a different strategy that enabled them penetrate France from another source.
Asa started as one of the most remarkable reformers that restored the true worship of God in Judah. He purified Jerusalem by sacking those who indulged in idolatry and perversion and did not spare his own idolatrous mother. The Lord, in turn, gave him and his land rest and prosperity.
Unfortunately in his later years, his reliance on and commitment to God waned. This showed in his rash decision to engage the heathen king Benhadad of Syria against Baasha, king of Israel who was building Ramah to prevent his subjects from any dealings with the Jews. This eventually became his undoing. He was rebuked by Hanani, the seer, and instead of repenting of this unholy alliance, he committed the seer into prison. He got “diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians”. He died in that state.
If your commitment to the Lord is weak or fickle, understand that this is a dangerous position because He is the source of our strength. If you are enjoying a buoyant relationship with God at the moment, strengthen your grip on your commitment to Him and do not get carried away by attainments or achievements.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
The path of self-sufficiency is a downhill road.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Corinthians 5-9
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.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
