King Asa serves as an example to those who love the Lord. When he took over the throne of Israel, the situation was chaotic. Asa submitted to God and decided to carry out his reign with divine guidance. So he soon implemented reforms in the country, according to the direction of the Most High, and everything began to settle down. It was ten years of success for the whole nation (2 Chronicles 14 and 15). However, this king failed to be proud of his achievements and ran into trouble, but he humbled himself and God helped him again.

           The Master said that whoever wants to be saved must persevere to the end (Matthew 24.13), teaching us to reject the temptations suggested by the devil in all areas of life. It is good to always heed God's Word. Jesus warned about the seed that fell among thorns: And the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful (Mark 4.19). Temptations are serious problems!

           How can we escape the cares of this world? By taking care of God's work in you and your family, so that the evil one doesn't get in the way of your daily life. How do you get rid of the deceitfulness of riches? By not letting greed enter your heart, making you want to get rich: And He said to them: Take heed and beware of covetousness: for one’s life does not consist not in the abundance of the things he possesses (Luke 12.15). How can we flee ambitions for other things? By loving the Lord (1 Peter 4:8).

           The answer can be found in the Scriptures and in the testimonies of God given to you when you are reading the Bible or listening to the preaching of the Word. Whatever strikes you should be examined carefully. Meditate on what your heart understands; then, when you notice that a word is addressed to you, thank God and make it your way of believing in the Lord. Persevere in what you have learned from the Scriptures. That's what Jesus said (John 15.7)!

           Asa had made a serious mistake. In the 36th year of his reign, Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah (1 Kings 15.17). His fears made him take the gold and silver from the house of God and send them to his people's eternal enemy, the Syrian king Ben-Hadad, asking for help, and he got it. When he saw that the Syrian ruler had listened to Asa, Baasha left Ramah and returned home. Asa was overjoyed at that!

            The Most High sent the prophet Hanani, who rebuked Asa because he hadn't even prayed to the Lord for help: Because you have relied on the king of Syria and had not relied in the LORD your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand (2 Chronicles 16.7b). Instead of repenting and asking God for mercy, he had the prophet thrown into the log house. Asa made his biggest mistake: not turning to the Lord. Three years after this wickedness, he had an illness in his feet!

           Earlier, Asa had made all the people of Judah swear that anyone who didn't seek God would die, but even though he was very ill, he didn't follow his own order, but went to the doctors instead (2 Chronicles 16:12,13). He didn't honor his oath and died of the disease that was ravaging him. Don't forsake the Lord for anything!

           In Christ, with love,

           R. R. Soares