Giving Our All or Giving Up

O. T. #957  "Giving Our All or Giving Up"
April 10, 2017
2 Chronicles 15-Part 2
All in Judah were happy about this covenant, for they had entered into it with all their heart.
2 Chronicles 15:15

LET IT GLOW

When we don't get our mountains removed, our waters parted, answers don't come, problems remain unsolved, what do we do? Do we continue to trust in God's ways and will along with His timing? Do we continue giving our all or do we give up?
Jesus didn't give up; He gave His all-even His life for us. He stayed focused on His purpose, in spite of the tall mountains, the high waters, and problems.
In today's story, King Asa of Judah gives his all. Want to find out to whom? Read on.

King Asa was instructed by God through Azariah to stay and seek God, and be strong. If Judah did not, they would be like Israel, they would have problems.
What happened next?

• Asa was encouraged and tore down all the idols in the land, then repaired the altar of the LORD.
• Judah made a huge amount of sacrifices unto God-700 cattle and 7,000 sheep and goats from the soils of battle. (verse 11)
• They entered into covenant to seek the Lord with all their heart and all their soul.(verse 12)
• Whoever did not would be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman, according to Deuteronomy 17:2-6. (verse 13)
• Judah sought the Lord with their whole desire and He was found, then given rest. (verse 15)

Do we seek God with all of our heart and all of our soul?
Is He our whole desire? Are we resting in Him?


LET IT GROW

What was one of the things Asa did in Judah? He put away the abominable idols in the land.
What did verse 13 say? Did it exclude the family of the king? No it did not.  In fact, Asa proved his commitment to God whenever he removed his grandmother as queen of Judah.
Why would he do such a thing? She had put up an idol in a grove. Idols are like worshiping Satan in the place of God. So Asa cut down the idol, broke it, and burned it in the Kidron Valley.

Although the pagan shrines were not removed from Israel, nevertheless, Asa wholeheartedly followed the Lord his entire life. He brought in silver, gold, and utensils into the Temple. There was no war until the 35th year of Asa's reign.

Wholehearted commitment pleases God. Are we tentative, indecisive, or afraid of responsibility. Is there an area in our life where we lack commitment totally to God? Peace will result whenever we give it to God.
The Lord is with those who are with Him. Do we ask Him to be with us, to direct our steps all the day long? What about our thoughts?
Does God have our highest priority, even above our family? In Luke 14:26, Jesus warned about not doing so.

LET IT GO

Continue to give my all to Jesus, my heart and soul and service.

Let it Lord Jesus encourage me.

Don't give up; keep giving love away.