“and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” As soon as Asa heard these words, the prophecy of Azariah the son of Oded, he took courage and put away the detestable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities that he had taken in the hill country of Ephraim, and he repaired the altar of the Lord that was in front of the vestibule of the house of the Lord. And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul, but that whoever would not seek the Lord, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman. They swore an oath to the Lord with a loud voice and with shouting and with trumpets and with horns. And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all around.”
2 Chronicles 15:2, 7-8, 12-15 ESV
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:13 ESV
In a few days we are entering the first quarter of the year. Many may attest of fulfilling their commitments to God, while others may find excuses. We began the year by recognizing how we can ensure an effective altar in our lives. Today, we will embark on a little heart check to see where we still stand. Let’s get into the word…
A famous story I once heard on how salvation was preached shifted my perspective of God. I believe you will be impacted as well. An atheïst once challenged a man of God about the existence of God. His argument was based on the fact that God was not visible and not tangible hence non existent. This was challenged by the man of God by a simple scenario. He made a statement that barbers do not exist, to which the atheïst found hilarious as clearly this occasion was happening in a Barber shop. The man of God then emphasized that a Barber was as evident as the need to find one and to come over to him. Can you by this scenario tell where I am driving at?
The evidence of God was not proven merely by a statement, but by acknowledgment of our need for Him. So it is with our commitment and dedication to God, whosoever comes to Him, must believe that he exists and is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him(Hebrews 11:6). From the story of king Asa, reckon that his father Abijah, had not walked faithfully with God, but Asa took the right approach and was steadfast in ensuring the people were truly committed and dedicated unto the Lord.
Beloved, daily as you seek God, it may seem as though nothing is happening but know this as John the Evangelist said ;“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”(1 John 3:2 KJV) There is an inward transformation happening that will manifest itself in due time. But for now lay hold on discipline, be steadfast, set your face as a flint and commit to the Lord.
Idols, an increasing proportion of the contention against our faith has been fostered growth with its ability to take many forms. From the scripture of study, we realize the zealousness of Asa to ensure their full commitment to God by taking away every trace of idolatry . There is the need to make deliberate effort in eradicating anything that stands to jeopardize our relationship with God. The emphasis on ; The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you, is to the end that we recognize the glory of kings to seek and find God(Proverbs 25:2).
With that, let’s reteirate the barbershop story. One needed the other, in plain words the customer needed the services of the barber. This was not a mere need for once in a lifetime, but a consistent supply. Our need for God is for the sake of our very life(Deuteronomy 30:20b). The more we take our pursuit seriously , the more He manifests His glory our lives. The work of the Holy Spirt is not to enforce coercion but to help, one cannot be helped unless they acknowledge the need thereof. If you read this word to day, enforce your vow of faithfulness to God by exercising your will to be fully surrendered, committed and led by His Spirit .
Good morning Beloved.