1 Kings 15
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I Kings 15:11-14, Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father David had done. He expelled the male shrine prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the idols his ancestors had made. He even deposed his grandmother Maakah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive image for the worship of Asherah. Asa cut it down and burned it in the Kidron Valley. Although he did not remove the high places, Asa’s heart was fully committed to the Lord all his life. He brought into the temple of the Lord the silver and gold and the articles that he and his father had dedicated.
And so begins the saga of various kings reigning over both Israel (the Northern Kingdom) and Judah (the Southern Kingdom).
In the Northern Kingdom, there is a quick turnover of leadership, which naturally leads to instability. There is also a blatant disregard for God’s laws, including what has become a culture of pagan worship. We see God occasionally send a prophet to hold the king accountable, and regardless of whether the king changes his behavior, we can see the Lord attempting to be in relationship with his people and call his people back to him.
In the Southern Kingdom, there were also a number of leaders, some who disobeyed God and others who made an earnest attempt to follow God’s law. In today’s focus verses, we meet King Asa who does what was right in the Lord’s eyes. He cleans up the pagan symbols and altars, the shrine prostitutes, and brings the precious articles back to the temple.
What’s interesting is that in the Southern Kingdom, even when the kings are disobedient, God extends grace because of David’s obedience and devotion. In some ways, God gives them a pass because he remembered the faithfulness of their forefather David. Even when the kings were sinful, God kept his promise. He promised that a descendent of David would sit on the throne forever and he made it so. Our God is a God who keeps his promises.
How many of you need to hear today that God keeps his promises? Even when we fall away, God keeps his promises. Even when life feels hard, God keeps his promises.
Below is a list of just a few of God’s promises. Remember them today.
1. God promises to always be with you. Matthew 28:20 (and surely I am with them always, even to the end of the age), Hebrews 13:5 ( Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Romans 8:38-39 (For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.)
2. God promises strength. 1 Cor. 10:13 (No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[b] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.), 2 Cor. 12:9 ( But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me), Phil. 4:13 (I can do all this through him who gives me strength.), Eph. 6:10 (Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.)
3. God promises peace. John 14:27 (Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.), John 16:33 (“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”)
4. God promises to answer prayers. Luke 11:9 (“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.), John 16:24 (Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.) Matthew 7:8 (For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
5. God promises to take care of your needs. Matthew 6:32-33 (For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.), 2 Cor. 9:8 (And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.)
6. God promises freedom from sin. John 8:36 (So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.), Romans 6:22 (But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.), Romans 8:1 (Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…)
7. God promises everlasting life. John 3:16 (For God so loved the world…), I John 5:13-14 ( I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life…)
Let’s pray…Lord, thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for your steadfastness. Thank you for your love. Help us always remember that we can count on your promises. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.