I suppose we tend to be most thankful for the things we most trust in. This has caused a dilemma for Christians to know what to trust or have confidence in – the resources God provides or God himself? Or both??
There’s an irony in that the older I get as a follower of Christ, the more I become aware of new temptations. In specific, a temptation to trust in things God gives rather than God himself! Put another way, moving from a thanksgiving for resources to a misplaced trust in resources.
The life of King Asa, the third king of Judah, is recorded in 2 Chronicles 14-16. In short, Asa appears first in the strength of reliance on his relationship with God and the Lord’s resources, then later in the weaknesses of reliance on his relationships with others and their resources. In fact, the writer goes so far as to point out Asa’s drifting away from trusting God by stating: “In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa developed a serious foot disease. Yet even with the severity of his disease, he did not seek the Lord’s help but turned only to his physicians” (2 Chronicles 16:12).
WHAT WENT WRONG WITH ASA?! Why would he break his own covenant (cf. 2 Chronicles 15:12-16)? I believe a key insight appears at an earlier challenge Asa faced when he cried out to God, “O Lord, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in you alone” (14:11). You see, I don’t think King Asa thought of himself as all that powerless after a while.
Power and resources are important features highlighted throughout the narrative of Asa’s life. Power is created when someone controls a resource another person desires or depends on. In verse 14:11, it was God who had the power; he had the resources to meet King Asa’s need. But ironically, King Asa gets resources, then over time I think the resources he gained for trusting God later become a snare for him. He trusted in the resources (plunder, alliances, etc.) instead.
Questions for self reflection: Are there any resources I am thankful for and trusting in instead of God lately? Am I keeping an appropriate, humble attitude toward my resources, power and dependency on God?
King Asa’s life reminds us that a person can start well but finish poorly. As you get older in your faith, and the more resources you accumulate, make sure your trust stays with God!
16No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.
17A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.
18But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
20We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.
21In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
22May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. (Ps. 33:16-22)
Picture courtesy of TheBrickTestament.com
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