“But as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken Him; and the sons of Aaron are ministering to the Lord as priests, and the Levites attend to their work. Every morning and evening they burn to the Lord burnt offerings and fragrant incense, and the showbread is set on the clean table, and the golden lampstand with its lamps is ready to light every evening; for we keep the charge of the Lord our God, but you have forsaken Him. Now behold, God is with us at our head and His priests with the signal trumpets to sound the alarm against you. O sons of Israel, do not fight against the Lord God of your fathers, for you will not succeed.” 2 Chronicles 13:10-12
The history of the kingdom of Judah given in 2 Chronicles is more encouraging than the history of the kingdom of Israel. In 2 Chronicles 13 and 14 the kingdom of Judah clings to God and seeks their strength from Him. God is fulfilling His promise that He made to Solomon; the kingdom of Judah remained faithful to God and were blessed by Him while the kingdom of Israel was sent off in captivity.
“Lord, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O Lord, You are God; let not man prevail against You.” 2 Chronicles 14:11 There is such a heart of dependance and trust displayed by Asa when Judah is facing the greater forces of Ethiopians. How does the kingdom of Judah get from this moment of faithfulness and trust in God to the moment found in 2 Kings 25 where they are sent off into exile in Babylon? How do they lose their dependance on God? What can be gleaned from these stories of faithfulness and failure of these kingdoms to apply to out lives today?
The critical path to failure starts when our sinful nature is given ground to grow within our hearts, our minds, our souls, and our strength. Can God abide with sin? If God does not have your fully devoted heart, mind, soul, and strength there is an idol laying hold upon you life. As this lust for sin takes away our desire for knowing God and clinging to Him the progression of falling away from God is set in motion. Where is your faith today? If you find yourself falling away from God pray that He renews and restores your heart, mind, soul, and strength as he removes the idols that are embedded in your life. The hope that Jesus Christ gives to us is truly enough to carry us through the difficulties of this world as we await for the future home He is preparing for us in heaven.
