In the book of 2 Chronicles, we see the life of King Asa. He started well, he did what was good and right. He removed idols and commanded the entire nation to seek God, observe the Law, and commandments (2 Chronicles 14:2-4). When a million Ethiopian army with 300 chariots marched against Asa's nation, King Asa turned to God in prayer (2 Chronicles 14:11) and declared his complete trust in the Lord. He believed that God was the One able to grant him victory even if they had no strength compared to the enemy. God recognized his humility and gave him victory. If we want to please God, not only should we obey and love Him, but we also must believe and have faith in who He is, that He is sovereign and a rewarder of those who truly seek Him.

However, success can be a great danger. The more successful we become, the more pride sets in. In the 36th year of King Asa’s reign, King Baasha led Israel (northern kingdom) to attack Judah (southern kingdom). Asa’s response changed. Rather than seeking and trusting God as he did in the past, he placed his faith in riches and a pagan king of Aram, Ben-Hadad (2 Chronicles 16:4). Humanly speaking, their strategy worked, but King Asa missed out on the greater plan that God had if only he had sought Him.

In 2 Chronicles 16:7-8, King Asa was rebuked by the seer Hanani. God’s plan was not only for Asa to be victorious against the northern kingdom but also to overcome the kingdom of Aram (Syria). When Asa heard this, he was enraged (2 Chronicles 16:10). He put the seer in prison and oppressed some of the people as well! In the 39th year, Asa became sick but still did not seek the Lord. He died without seeking the Lord anymore (2 Chronicles 16:12-13). The cost of obedience and faith may be high, but the cost of not putting our faith in God and being disobedient is even higher!

Romans 8:31-32 is a great comfort for all of us – if God has given us His own Son, and if He is for us, who can be against us? Amidst great suffering, challenges, grief, and difficulties, God is working all things together for good (v.28). This means that God can even redeem our failures, but the condition is clear: we must LOVE GOD, and our hearts and lives must be devoted to Him alone. Obedience will not be a problem if we give our all to Him.

If He gave His all to redeem us, what is stopping us from fully devoting our hearts to God? May we always choose to commit our lives, decisions, feelings, and actions to our faithful God.