Asa – An Example in Leadership Part Two

Asa – An Example in Leadership Part Two

Asa – An Example in Leadership

(Part 2)

“And Asa did that which was good and right
in the eyes of the Lord his God.”
2 Chronicles 14:2

(continued from Part One)

As King Asa continued in his walk before the Lord, this is the report he obtained from God: “And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God.” The heart of all who are making Him their Lord seek by every means to obtain such a testimony! We read in the narrative of his leadership that he not only cleansed Israel from strange gods and idols but also built walls and fortified the cities of Judah in a time of peace and prosperity.

“He built fortified cities in Judah, for the land had rest. He had no war in those years, for the LORD gave him peace. And he said to Judah, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours, because we have sought the LORD our God. We have sought him, and he has given us peace on every side.” So they built and prospered.”
2 Chronicles 14:6-7 (ESV)

True leadership in God’s house is one of foresight and wisdom. In the time of peace, Asa prepared Judah for war. He considered the history of God’s people and was not blinded by the peace that they were currently enjoying. He also prepared an army trained in the art of warfare, so they would be equipped and ready should trouble come.

“And Asa had an army of 300,000 from Judah, armed with large shields and spears, and 280,000 men from Benjamin that carried shields and drew bows. All these were mighty men of valor.”
2 Chronicles 14:8

In the reading of Asa’s works, as he walked before the Lord his God, we see the wisdom that God had revealed in his early days. Sadly, in much of the leadership in our day, we see few who are actively preparing God’s people for the storm that is about to engulf our land. Even within the landscape of North America, there is rage and a polarization, and a large segment of those who call themselves by His name are becoming embroiled in the political indignation of today.

The good fight of faith will not allow His own to engage in carnal warfare. The wise and true leadership of this hour will prepare God’s people for the art of warfare in the Spirit, overcoming evil by doing good. The unmitigated anger arising can only be met by the seeming foolishness of love and forgiveness. These are the graces with which we are to meet this hour. It takes a work of great preparation to abide so deeply in Him that the responses of our hearts will reveal the crucified ONE and not the fleshly anger of the carnal man.

The warfare of Asa reflected the nature of the Kingdom of Israel. When Jesus came, the warfare He brought was spiritual, effective, and had eternal results.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds”
2 Corinthians 10:3-4

In Paul’s day, thousands of Christians perished for their testimony of Christ. Rather than arming ourselves with carnal weapons, we ought to be seeking Him who can prepare us to be “living sacrifices”, ready to overcome the devil himself by the blood of the Lamb, by the word of our testimony, and not loving our lives even unto death.

We may talk glibly about such things, but let us not be deceived like Peter regarding our readiness for that day. It is a day to prepare, a day to gather with one another, and “so much more as we see THE DAY approaching.”

May God raise up leadership who sense the impending chaos and seek to inspire His people to walk worthy of Him in this day. The leadership of Asa was an example to us in our day to prepare God’s people in the day of prosperity before the storm comes. Too often in history, the people of God have failed to give heed to Him in the days of their prosperity:

“I spoke to you in your prosperity, but you said, ‘I will not listen.’ This has been your way from your youth, that you have not obeyed My voice”
Jeremiah 22:21 (ESV)

We are not given the time frame, but sometime after Asa had assembled an army in Judah, we read of “Zerah the Ethiopian” coming to invade Judah with an army of over one million men and 300 chariots!

“Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and 300 chariots and came as far as Mareshah. And Asa went out to meet him, and they drew up their lines of battle in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.”
2 Chronicles 14:9-10 (ESV)

The word declares, “Asa went out to meet him”. Asa went out to meet this formidable enemy in the Name of the Lord his God.

“And Asa cried to the LORD his God, “O LORD, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.”
2 Chronicles 14:11 (ESV)

God’s response:

“So the LORD defeated the Ethiopians
before Asa and before Judah,
and the Ethiopians fled.”
2 Chronicles 14:12

Related Article in the King Asa Series:

Asa – An Example in Leadership – Part One

(continued in Part 3)

“Love always involves responsibility, and love always involves sacrifice. And we do not really love Christ unless we are prepared to face His task and to take up His Cross.”
– William Barclay

Brian Troxel