Corona Devo 1000

I received a holiday email update from my college alma mater (Go Muskies!), and the thrust of the message was to introduce the opening of a new building and wellness facility for students and staff on campus.  The president was clearly (and especially) proud of the initiative because donors and planners had decided to pursue construction in the Spring of 2020 when the Covid onset hit our world.  

As everything stopped, they had made a decision not to stop.  And today there is a beautiful, fortified building as a result.

During a time of "rest", they did the simple but obedient work involved in moving forward.  As many made a decision to retreat, they inched forward.  

I couldn't help but think of King Asa when I read the college email.  

~~~

In the historical accounts of the Bible, (then as now), there were good and evil leaders.  King Asa was a good (God) guy, who (simply) did what was pleasing and good in the sight of the Lord his God (2 Chronicles 14:1), and he did so by establishing simple but faithful-to-God practices in his own life and then throughout his kingdom.  It led to peace.  

But (brilliantly!) while Asa's kingdom was at rest and in peace, he was not idle or backsliding.  Instead, he had the vision to employ his people in positive efforts and proactive measures to fortify their towns for future readiness, while continuing to keep the statutes of the Lord.

We are no different than Asa.  In fact, I want to be like Asa.  His efforts and commitments to the Lord were sincere and he had influence on others to embrace God's ways as well, and God blessed them for their obedience: There was peace in the land for ten years (2 Chronicles 14:1). 

~~~

(2) Asa did what was pleasing and good in the sight of the Lord his God.  ~2 Chronicles 14:2

Just for today, let us be mindful to do/say/think what is pleasing and good in the sight of the Lord our God.

~~~

(3) He removed the foreign altars and the pagan shrines. He smashed the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah poles.   ~2 Chronicles 14:3

Let's get real and let's get honest about removing the foreign altars and the pagan shrines in our lives and in our hearts.  Asa did.  He smashed the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah poles.  And it led to peace for him and his people.

~~~

(4) He commanded the people of Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and to obey his law and his commands.   ~2 Chronicles 14:4

The first person that we have influence over is ourselves.  May we table the other "stuff" and today, and may we sincerely seek the Lord.  May we do all in our power to obey his law and his commands.

~~~

(5) Asa also removed the pagan shrines, as well as the incense altars from every one of Judah’s towns. So Asa’s kingdom enjoyed a period of peace.  ~2 Chronicles 14:4

There is not "perfection" in being aligned with God, but there is peace.  

And as we evaluate our lives and our striving...that (peace) is truly all we desire, isn't it?  If we will do the simple but obedient measures in living for God, His peace is available and in great measure.  Are we tired of the unrest and lack-of-peace yet?  Then we must simply obey his law and his commands.

~~~

(6) During those peaceful years, he was able to build up the fortified towns throughout Judah. No one tried to make war against him at this time, for the Lord was giving him rest from his enemies.  

(7) Asa told the people of Judah, “Let us build towns and fortify them with walls, towers, gates, and bars. The land is still ours because we sought the Lord our God, and he has given us peace on every side.” So they went ahead with these projects and brought them to completion.  ~2 Chronicles 14:6-7

Asa was wise, he was not lazy, and he had vision.  We can be all of those things too.  During "down times", or periods of rest, or even periods of uncertainty, we can (simply) do what is pleasing and good in the sight of the Lord his God (2 Chronicles 14:1), we too can be wise and proactive like Asa was.

We can establish simple but faithful-to-God practices in our lives.  And guess what?  It leads to peace, (and maybe new buildings!).   


Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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