Asa Cried to the Lord

Synopsis     2Chron 13:19-14:10     3/23/2020 

Abijah was the zealous, new king over the kingdom of Judah. So, he immediately went to war against the northern kingdom of Israel. As a result of the battle, Abijah regained control over a portion of the tribal lands of Ephraim. Afterward, King Jeroboam died. 

Sometime later, Abijah also died. And then, his son Asa became king over Judah.  

King Asa was also zealous for God. In particular, he worked to remove the idols from the land. And he fortified the cities of Judah with walls. And, for the most part, there was peace in the land.  

However, after several years, an army came up from Ethiopia and invaded southern parts of Judah. So, King Asa led his army out to meet them.  When the armies met, the Ethiopians outnumbered the Israelites almost two to one. So, King Asa cried out to the Lord. In the face of the overwhelming adversary, he asked God to give victory.  

Asa Cried Out to the Lord 

As he contemplated the size of the Ethiopian army, Asa cried out to the Lord. But he didn’t cry out in desperate ignorance. For, Asa knew God and his intention was to please God.  

So, instead, he cried out to God in the way that a military general calls for reinforcements. He was specific and expectant.  

Cry Out to the Lord 

You are a powerful and effective person. You’ve known both successes and failures. And so, you generally know your needs.  

And then suddenly, you realize that your situation is beyond your ability to control. You need help.  

So then, go before God for reinforcements and with an expectation of God’s goodness in answered prayer. 

I cry aloud to God, I cry to God to hear me. On the day of my distress I seek the Lord; by night my hands are stretched out unceasingly; I refuse to be consoled.” Psa 77:2-3