Total Reliance On God
2 Chronicles 16:7 says, “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.”
King Asa was a good king of Judah (1 Ki 15:11). He instituted reforms to bring the people back to the Lord. However, our passage shows Asa in a moment of spiritual weakness. “Hanani the seer came to Asa” to deliver a message that he should not rely on Benhadad the king of Syria but only “on the Lord!” During that time, there was a struggle for dominance between Judah and Israel under king Baasha (1 Ki 15:27). Apparently, Baasha needed the support of Syria to go against Judah. Therefore, Asa used “the treasures of the house of the Lord and of the king's house” (v. 2), to gain Benhadad’s favor so they would withdraw support for Israel.
Asa’s treaty with Benhadad was seen as a betrayal of his faith in God! When people get in trouble, they often rely on their own efforts (Prov 3:5), or even seek ungodly counsel (Ps 1:1). But the “arm of flesh” (2 Chr 32:8), shall fail us. Because “it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man” (Ps 118:8). There are many instances where the faith and trust in God of individuals were tested. This happened to king Solomon, who “was wiser than all men” (1 Ki 4:31). But toward the end, he married wives that “turned away his heart after other gods” (1 Ki 11:4).
Bible-believing singles should never marry someone who is not God-fearing or who is not of the same faith (2 Cor 6:14). And if you are already married to someone who isn’t, then don’t follow them if they try to turn your heart away from God! Asa’s bad example reminds us of the dire consequences of disobedience (v. 12). Reliance on our own strength and worldly counsel will always ruin our relationship with the Lord! God bless you!
- Pastor Melito Barrera
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