DAY 249 - BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE UNITED MONARCHY
“ASA DID WHAT WAS RIGHT IN THE EYES OF THE LORD, AS DID HIS FATHER DAVID. AND HE BANISHED THE PERVERTED PERSONS FROM THE LAND, AND REMOVED ALL THE IDOLS THAT HIS FATHERS HAD MADE” (NKJV).
1 Kings 15:11-12
Reading: 1 Kings 15:9-24
Asa, one of the kings of Judah, was one of the few kings at this time who actually did do his best to trust and obey the Lord. Between Rehoboam and Asa, Abijam reigned on the throne. He walked in all the sins of his father and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God. The only reason the LORD kept him on the throne was because of the Promise He had made to David. Fortunately, Asa, who followed Abijam, did right in the LORD’s eyes like David had done. He also banished perverted persons from the land, dethroned the queen who had made an idol of Asherah and burnt other idols.
The list of the kings of Judah and Israel is like a rollercoaster ride with some highs (like Asa) and lows (like Jeroboam). The lows, however, are lower than the highs are high and we see a steady overall decline in covenant faithfulness. The LORD remained true to His covenant and brought about covenant blessings and cursings, the ones we read about in Deuteronomy 28. Deuteronomy 28 acts as a prophetic word on the history of the Divided Kingdom at this point. Asa was faithful to the LORD and he was given release from his enemies (in this case Baasha King of Israel).
Looking forward we see a downward spiral, with the Covenant curse of exile from the land looming larger and larger.
Prayer
Dear Father, it is good to see Your Covenant faithfulness, You are true to Your word. What is even greater is to see Your mercy in delivering Your faithful ones from their enemies.
For the family
Over the next few days, watch this video about the kings of Israel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHWt07LrXko&feature=youtu.be