2 Chronicles 16:12

New International Version (NIV)

In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians.

For Meditation

Every time I read about the last days of king Asa, one of the best kings of Judah, I get lost in search for the reason why he ended his life so miserably. It reminds me of the caution in the wisdom of this proverb that dangles before every accomplished person: “Call no man happy until he is dead.” One careless mistake, one hardened heart, and a man is sent as quickly to his ruin, as it begun for him. The sad thing is that he doesn’t even recognize what hit him. It is what I call, “The ego trip” – that which became King Asa’s demise.

Asa did everything right before God (2 Chron. 14:2-8), and so God answered his call for help against a great Cushite army with a stunning victory (11-13). When he returned to Jerusalem God sent Hanani, the seer, to give him this promise: “The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you (15:2).”

1. So, why did Asa disregard this promise and sought the help of Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, when Israel came against Judah at Ramah (16:1)?
2. Why did Asa get so angry at God’s rebuke through Hanani that he imprisoned the seer and turned on some of his own people (7-10)?
3. Do you see how prideful we could become when things are going well for us? But, when God rebukes us through a loved one; do you see how enraged we could become? Wasn’t Solomon right when he said, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall (Prov. 16:18)?”
4. Worse of all, do you see how King Asa refused to seek God’s help when he was severely “afflicted with a disease in his feet (12)?” What happened to the man who trusted in the LORD so much and confessed in prayer, God’s matchless power in the early days of his reign (14:11)?
5. Isn’t it sad that we can also fall the same way? Do you know how easy it is for us to forget how far grace has carried us, when our ego is bruised? How many people of God haven’t fallen this way, as King Asa did?

I pray that we keep a keen eye on pride and petition the Lord, in His mercy, to help us keep it in check before it destroys everything for us. As J. Parker, commenting on King Saul’s demise said so eloquently: “There is but a step between man and death — not physical death only, but the death of character, reputation, and influence.” That step is arrogance.

So: May we accomplish much in life and ministry, by the grace of God; but may we never dig deep into our wounded pride when rebuked, while everything is falling apart around us. Rather, let’s receive the blessing of John 1:9 and always maintain a clean slate with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him alone be glory, now and forever, amen!

Shalom