National Apostasy
69
whose name marvelous deliverances had been wrought in behalf of
Israel of old. Setting his forces in battle array, he sought the help of
God.
The opposing armies now stood face to face. It was a time of test
and trial to those who served the Lord. Had every sin been confessed?
Had the men of Judah full confidence in God’s power to deliver? Such
thoughts as these were in the minds of the leaders. From every human
viewpoint the vast host from Egypt would sweep everything before it.
But in time of peace Asa had not been giving himself to amusement
[111]
and pleasure; he had been preparing for any emergency. He had an
army trained for conflict; he had endeavored to lead his people to make
their peace with God. And now, although his forces were fewer in
number than the enemy, his faith in the One whom he had made his
trust did not weaken.
Having sought the Lord in the days of prosperity, the king could
now rely upon Him in the day of adversity. His petitions showed that
he was not a stranger to God’s wonderful power. “It is nothing with
Thee to help,” he pleaded, “whether with many, or with them that have
no power: help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on Thee, and in Thy
name we go against this multitude. O Lord, Thou art our God; let not
man prevail against Thee.”
Verse 11
.
The prayer of Asa is one that every Christian believer may fittingly
offer. We fight in a warfare, not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities and powers, and against spiritual wickedness in high
places. See
Ephesians 6:12
. In life’s conflict we must meet evil
agencies that have arrayed themselves against the right. Our hope is
not in man, but in the living God. With full assurance of faith we may
expect that He will unite His omnipotence with the efforts of human
instrumentalities, for the glory of His name. Clad with the armor of
His righteousness, we may gain the victory over every foe.
King Asa’s faith was signally rewarded. “The Lord smote the
Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled. And
Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and
the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover them-
selves; for they were destroyed before the Lord, and before His host.”
[112]
2 Chronicles 14:12, 13
.
As the victorious armies of Judah and Benjamin were returning
to Jerusalem, “the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded: