Resting On The Lord (2 Chronicles 14 - 15)
Background to 2 Chronicles 14 and 15
The books of Chronicles were written to the Jews, who had returned from exile to rebuild the temple and Jerusalem. The books aim to remind and encourage the Jews that, though they had challenging tasks at hand and faced opposition, they could definitely rest on their God. For instance, the Jews could learn from the life of King Asa and how he depended on God.
2 Chronicles 14 and 15 highlight the key moments of the reign of King Asa, who ruled Judah for 41 years. He succeeded his father, King Abijah/Abijam, a wicked ruler as described in 1 Kings 15. In contrast to his father, King Asa was a faithful king who relied on God and cleared the land of Judah of idols.
In 2 Chronicles 14, King Asa was confronted by Zerah, the Ethiopian, who had a much larger army. Instead of feeling secure and relying on his resources, King Asa humbled himself before God and sought help in God. God responded to Asa’s pleading and delivered Judah from the dire situation.
2 Chronicles 15 focussed on 2 points:
God’s promise to King Asa and Judah (through the prophet Azariah) that if they sought God, they would find Him and the rest (e.g., peace) that they needed;
King Asa responded to the prophecy, relied on God, and enjoyed the rest that God gave.
The Jews, under King Asa, found victories in God when they rest in Him
In the first 10 years of King Asa’s reign, God allowed Judah to experience peace and stability because Judah had sought the Lord (2 Chronicles 14:1, 6, 7).
In 2 Chronicles 14:9, King Asa was met with a formidable enemy - Zerah with his massive Ethiopian army. In verse 11, King Asa looked to God for His leadership and cried out “we rest on thee”.
In today’s context, the verb “rest” can be interpreted as “rely”, “depend”, or “trust”. Simply put, King Asa knew His God and that He would protect and provide. King Asa didn’t attempt to rely on the strength of his army. Instead, he headed straight to his heavenly King. As a result, God delivered Judah out of that trial. King Asa continued to rest on God, keeping Judah safe for another 25 years (2 Chronicles 15:19).
Do we seek our Lord for rest, as we should?
It is good for us to reflect on how we deal with trials in our lives. When confronted with our “Zerahs”, do we seek our Lord for rest, as we should? Often, we crave for peace but do not find it as we use our own strength and resources in our attempts to achieve that rest. God is usually our last resort rather than our first option. Perhaps, it is due to our pride?
God has declared that He desires us to seek Him and that He wants to be found (2 Chronicles 15:2). Likewise, Christ reminds us Matthew 11:28 that, if we want the peace that He promises, we are to seek Him and He will grant us the rest as He has promised.
God grants victories and rest ultimately for His glory
2 Chronicles 15:8 described how King Asa responded to the prophecy and sought God. As a result, Judah had many more years of rest and became a light to the people from (the Northern Kingdom) Israel as they flocked into Judah (v9, 19). King Asa and Judah took comfort in these victories and the assurance of God’s promise to launch a spiritual revival as well as a transformation of their worship (v10 - 18). These victories serve to ultimately glorify God.
Today, as we rest on the Lord and experience victories, let us savour them but know that they are not solely for our personal consumption. These testimonies of rest ought to glorify God, edify men, and grow us to be more Christ-like. It is also crucial to note that as we submit to His will and rest on Him, the outcome of the request may not be the same outcome that we desire. But be confident and assured that God knows what is best for us!
Dear friends, true rest is only found in Christ. So, let us seek and rest on Him today!
Consider the following lyrics from the song, “Grace”:
Your will cannot lead me where Your grace will not keep me.
Your hand will protect me, I rest in Your care.
Your eyes will watch over me, Your love will forgive me,
And when I am faltering, I still will find You there.
If you have been trying to seek rest and peace through different avenues (e.g., finances, health, friends, ministry, and family) and you are stuck, why not humble yourself and seek the Lord? He has promised that He has the ability to provide. God has provided for King Asa and Judah. The same God will, likewise, provide the rest we truly need as we seek and depend on Him.
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