Asa – An Example in Leadership
“And Asa cried unto the Lord his God…”
2 Chronicles 14:11
God’s unveilings leave an indelible mark on His true disciples: mountain-top experiences, revelations indiscernible to the human eye, and visitations to His own. As precious as these are, it is in the valleys, in the darkest times of the night, where the God of all gods becomes our God.
It is in the valley of the shadows, in the lonely and desolate places, that we discover “Thou art with me.” (Ps. 23:4). In the tapestry of our personal life, it is the dark threads that accentuate the bright colors of His weavings. His “curious work” (Ps. 139:15-16) wrought within the “secret” places of our being is full of wisdom and understanding far beyond our comprehension.
Asa – An Example of Leadership
Asa was raised in a religious environment in which idolatry and compromise infiltrated the land of Judah. But the word declares:
“And Asa did that which was good and right
in the eyes of the Lord his God.”
2 Chronicles 14:2
He stood against the heathen ways, which were mingled with the worship of God. He stood for truth and became an instrument of light in his day. The contemptible ways of human reasoning, the groves, and the false and defiling things of his own house made Asa rise up in passion and love for God.
“And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David, his father. And he took away the sodomites out of the land and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. And also Maachah, his mother, even her he removed from being queen because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron.”
1 Kings 15:11-13
Asa’s passion for God began in his own sphere of life. God’s ways change not; our love of truth must be a testimony in our own life. Truth, to be truth, must first find expression in us, then in our families, before it can bear fruit in the world around us.
Leadership begins in the home.
“Then it behooves the overseer to be blameless, husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, well-ordered, hospitable, apt at teaching; not a drunkard, not a contentious one, not money-loving, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not avaricious; ruling his own house well, having children in subjection with all respect. But if anyone does not know how to rule his own house, how will he care for an assembly of God.”
1 Timothy 3:2-5
See Related Article: Leadership
May we consider the testimony of those who have gone on before us, men and women like Asa, who walked in the truth of their day, who stood for righteousness, and by such OBTAINED a “good report” (Heb. 11:2) in the eyes of God!
“For by it (faith) the elders
obtained a good report.”
Hebrews 11:2, 39
(parenthesis mine)
Faithfulness to the Lord must infiltrate every aspect of our lives. We “obtain” a good report unto Him by the discipline of our own personal life, within the context of our own family, before we become expressions of Him to the Church. There is a vital need to raise the standard of that which characterizes leadership in the church today.
“Give diligence to present yourself
approved to God…”
2 Timothy 2:15
There is a life of diligence, a fervency of heart unto Him in the secret places of our lives where our interaction with those in our own household culminates in a testimony to the next generation. It is essential to understand this critical truth: everything living has the divine enablement to reproduce itself.
“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual
by the acknowledging of every good thing
which is in you in Christ Jesus.”
Philemon 1:6
Within the context of our own household, we discover the Love of the Father and the wisdom by which we become examples to others. No other place confronts us more with our own inadequacies, character flaws, and desperate need for Him than our own family.
Early in my own experience, I realized that the most important goal as a flawed individual was to seek by every means to communicate my faith in the living God. Our goal is not to raise our children to simply be good. Their greatest need is to have their own personal relationship with Jesus Christ; because of that, they are freed and motivated to work out their own salvation “with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12).
Let us arise out of the mediocrity of our day as we feel the coming storm. As Asa, let us walk in the Light of God, proclaiming His truth to all within the sphere of our lives—beginning with ourselves. We must awake from the slumber and obscurity of a gospel of soothing words, void of the fire and intensity of spirit, that leaves us barren and deaf to His voice.
The next generation must be motivated by the pure love of God to impart to those within their sphere of responsibility the Faith of God.
Too many parents today try to pass on values, principles, and God’s concepts rather than a personal relationship. Our children need more than a mere belief; they need the power of God living within to overcome the darkness. Every victory within a Christian’s life has at its core the dynamic of faith. We dare not present any other truth.
“…this is the victory that overcometh the world,
even our faith.”
1 John 5:4
Knowledge will not produce victory; good moral values alone will not prevail against evil of today. The true ministers of God set their lives to communicate faith that has wrought victories, a faith exemplified by a life lived. It is this faith that releases the power and unction of the Living Christ.
“Demetrius hath good report of all men,
and of the truth itself:
yea, and we also bear record…”
3 John 1:12
May this be our testimony to our families, the world, and the Church of Jesus Christ.
Related Article in the King Asa Series:
Asa – An Example of Leadership – Part Two
Related Post: Leadership & Righteousness
Brian Troxel
Amen and Amen! Blessings…
Thank you Curleen – Blessings today!
BT
Amen! “God’s ways change not; our love of truth must be a testimony in our own life.”
Blessings today!
Amen – Truth is to make us true.
Blessings and grace to you today!~
BT
I appreciate your graced availability of and to the merciful God Who Is Love, and do thank Him for the Spirit of His Son’s rich workmanship in you and through you. The loving Trinity of living Infinity’s best to you, my friend, ever and always.
(emphasis mine)
Ephesians 2:4 AMP But God, being [so very] rich in MERCY, because of His great and wonderful LOVE with which He LOVED us, 5 even when we were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of our sins, He made us [spiritually] alive together with Christ (for by His grace—His undeserved favor and MERCY—you have been saved from God’s judgment).
1 Corinthians 13:13 AMP And now there remain: FAITH [abiding trust in God and His promises], HOPE [confident expectation of eternal salvation], LOVE [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is LOVE.
Galatians 5:5 AMP For we [not relying on the Law but] through the [strength and power of the Holy] Spirit, by FAITH, are waiting [confidently] for the HOPE of righteousness [the completion of our salvation].
Romans 5:5-6 AMP Such HOPE [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s LOVE has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 6 For [if we are] in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only FAITH activated and expressed and working through LOVE.
Yes amen. While we have breath we are blessed with opportunities to grow into that love from which all the true labor of the Spirit springs. Love is the river from which grace flows. An artesian well that is free from our labor, sweat and futility. What a magnificent God we serve… He who is our righteousness, our redeemer and constant companion has also come to be the Light of God into this musty world.
” Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
The works of man glorifies man, the works of God glorify our heaven Father through the wonder of His Life working all things for His Glory.
Love you much!!!
BT
“The works of man glorifies man, the works of God glorify our heaven Father through the wonder of His Life working all things for His Glory.” Yes, you and I both blessedly know that such is so!
Ephesians 320 AMP (emphasis mine)
Now to Him who is ABLE to [carry out His purpose and] do SUPERABUNDANTLY MORE THAN ALL that we DARE ask or think [INFINITELY BEYOND our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], ACCORDING TO HIS power that is at work within us, 21 TO HIM BE THE GLORY in the church AND in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.
A few questions almost overly obviously rhetorical to those who, from intense immersion in the written Word and by vital, conscious union and increasing intimate abiding communion with the Godhead, are mercifully given to know as much are:
In any born again life (John 3:3) is any of the workmanship by the Redeemer God of all grace and glory Who Is Love Omnipotent, and has in and of Himself the unlimited ability to, with infinite ingenuity, sovereignly create, flawed or faulty, ineffectual or inadequate, lame or lamentable? Are we capable of vitiating the Victor’s workmanship or shall He validate His workmanship?
For God to have a people set apart for Himself, is He dependent on people to set themselves apart for Him?
To even love God and thus please God, does that not, in all actuality, require God, for our cooperation with the operation of His Spirit’s unction to function as He has chosen and called us?
We have been predestined to adoption as sons of God, in Christ seated in the heavenly sphere, reigning in life as kings, and glorified for what? Ultimately disobedience? Ultimately failure of His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works?
Philippians 2:12-13 AMP (emphasis mine)
12 So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]. 13 For it is [NOT your strength, but it is] GOD WHO IS EFFECTIVELY at work in you, BOTH to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the LONGING AND the ABILITY to fulfill your purpose] FOR HIS good pleasure.
Jude 24-25 AMPC
24 Now to Him Who is able to keep you without stumbling or slipping or falling, and to present [you] unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the presence of His glory in triumphant joy and exultation [with unspeakable, ecstatic delight]—
25 To the one only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory (splendor), majesty, might and dominion, and power and authority, before all time and now and forever (unto all the ages of eternity). Amen (so be it).
Romans 15:13 AMP
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.
I am so weak and so foolish, but He is so wise and so strong.
I, too, love you much!!!
You wrote, “God’s unveilings leave an indelible mark on His true disciples: mountain-top experiences, revelations indiscernible to the human eye, and visitations to His own. As precious as these are, it is in the valleys, in the darkest times of the night, where the God of all gods becomes our God.”
Yes, I agree. Our Kinsman Redeemer, Christ Jesus, the One altogether faithful and true, our Bridegroom King, intimate Intercessor, ardent Advocate, perfect Priest, Bright and Morningstar, Dayspring from on high has promised us never to forsake us, fail us or forget us, even when we, as one among His beleaguered beloveds, have fallen the hundred thousandth time in the same sordid, sluttish sin. Never is He disappointed or disillusioned, as from everlasting He foreknew each and every sin of omission or commission we, omnisciently created in our frame of dust, would be individually given to. Yet lovingly unfailing for the mutual enjoyment of our eternal companionship, He compassionately comes to us, humbly washing our feet (John 13) and richly renewing our walk with Him, warming our hearts and deepening our gratitude for His undeserved forgiveness of our folly and fallenness. As Jesus’ Bride, we tenaciously cling to Himself, Heaven’s Darling, our magnificent Obsession, absolutely trusting Him to rescue us and save us from ourselves.
Realistically realize that we, in the body this side of heaven, will always fail to greater or lesser extents our One Beautiful God Triune. That which we definitely must not give place is to abide in the Christ-communion-killing, spiritually suicidal guilt of degradation and desolation for which the demonic dimension deliriously delights to drive us.
“Keep on running even when you have had a fall. The victory is won by him who does not stay down, but always gets up again, grasps the banner of faith, and keeps on running in the assurance that Jesus is Victor.” Basilea Schlink
Hebrews 4:14-15 AMP
15 For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. 16 Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].
With Paul in Romans 7 (AMP,) we cry, in anguish of spirit and agony of soul, “Wretched and miserable man that I am! Who will [rescue me and] set me free from this body of death [this corrupt, mortal existence]? Thanks be to God [for my deliverance] through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand, I myself with my mind serve the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh [my human nature, my worldliness, my sinful capacity—I serve] the law of sin.”
Luke 7:40-50 AMP
40 Jesus, answering, said to the Pharisee, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Teacher, say it.” 41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors: one owed him five hundred [denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they had no means of repaying [the debts], he freely forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I take it, for whom he forgave more.” Jesus said to him, “You have decided correctly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house [but you failed to extend to Me the usual courtesies shown to a guest]; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair [demonstrating her love]. 45 You gave Me no [welcoming] kiss, but from the moment I came in, she has not ceased to kiss My feet. 46 You did not [even] anoint My head with [ordinary] oil, but she has anointed My feet with [costly and rare] perfume. 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Those who were reclining at the table with Him began saying among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith [in Me] has saved you; go in peace [free from the distress experienced because of sin].”
Jesus’ teaching us that a person forgiven much loves much, and a person forgiven little loves little aptly applies also to our state of spirituality, our current condition of heart, and our relationship with our Creator and His creation even after we have been twice born, born from above by the Spirit. This intensely intimizing increase of love, the righteous, reinvigorating result of the corresponding increase of imperatively needed, ongoing forgiveness, strengthens sanctification, the setting apart of self to Himself Who Is Love. Doubtless, such a providential process is part and parcel of our grandly gracious God working all together for our good, including the bad and the ugly, according to His purpose, which purpose is conformity to the character of His Christ, the Son of His love.
None of the foregoing preponderant principle and divine dynamic conflicts with or discounts the actuality that our caring, holy Father in heaven betimes lovingly chastens us, we experiencing the soreness and sorrow of same, so that subsequently, consequently such positivity positively produces the peaceable fruit of righteousness, to the everlasting praise of His glory and our eternal enjoyment of and royal ravishing by His matchless glory.
Ephesians 3:16-21 AMP (emphasis mine)
16 May He grant you out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, [indwelling your innermost being and personality], 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, 18 be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love]; 19 and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], THAT you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself].
20 Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.
So good to hear from you and the richness of your comment. Love is the spring from which all His mercies flow and His corrections are given so that our fellowship and communion with Him may be of great significance in our walk in this world.
Blessings my friend
BT
Good post, BT!
…Too many parents today try to pass on values, principles, and God’s concepts rather than a personal relationship. Our children need more than a mere belief; they need the power of God living within to overcome the darkness. Every victory within a Christian’s life has at its core the dynamic of faith. We dare not present any other truth…”
Recently, I had the opportunity to express to my daughter how sorry I was that I didn’t give them a true example of a man who loved the Lord.
I think I was more interested in being faithful, even going throught the motions that I didn’t really have a full interest in really dialing in.
I am praying that God will speak into the lives of my children so that they may learn how to dial in with all of their hearts.
Great message brother.
Parenting is one of the greatest experiences in preparing us for His service.
BT