Leadership matters. Your obedience to the leading of the Lord matters. What you do on your time on earth matters.
The Spirit of the Lord came to the prophet Azariah and he prophesied to Asa, king of Israel:
“For many years Israel has been without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without instruction, but when they turned to the LORD God of Israel in their distress and sought Him, He was found by them” (2 Chr 15:3).
This was said in the context of a very, very turbulent time.
“Nation was crushed by nation and city by city, for God troubled them with every possible distress” (2 Chr 15:6 (see previous post for more)).
In other words, the whole world was in an uproar. All the nations were in rebellion against God and in deep distress. Even Israel. But Asa changed that because he pursued the Lord with all his heart.
Then Azariah said something to King Asa that changed everything.
“But as for you, be strong; don’t be discouraged, for your work has a reward” (2 Chr 15:7).
It was one of those words that was the right thing in the right time by the Holy Spirit. Asa awakened.
“When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Obed the prophet, he took courage and removed the detestable idols from the whole land...” (2 Chr 15:8).
It didn’t stop. Asa renovated the altar, then he gathered the people, and they sacrificed to the Lord many cattle and sheep. And then corporately they renewed their covenant with the Lord. Asa was so dedicated to leading his people into repentance and revival that he even deposed his own grandmother who had set up a wicked Asherah pole.
The glorious thing about all this is that it wasn’t just a flash in the pan moment that comes from inspiration and doesn’t last. The Scriptures say this:
“Asa was wholehearted his entire life” (2 Chr 15:18).
- The Lord gave a Word of courage to Azariah to give to Asa and he obeyed.
- Asa received the Word, took courage, and lead a revival in the land.
- The Lord blessed Asa with peace for many years.
It’s important to note that Israel was a covenant nation with God. They had a unique relationship. In this application it applies to the church of God. Because we too are a covenant people.
And it is a good word for the church. The church would do well to purify itself and make herself beautiful before the Lord. It is a time to take courage. It is a time not to adopt the legalism of words or of spirit in how things are done, but rather a genuine repentance of heart. To let the Lord lead us into righteousness and purity and to act upon it. To not make friends with the things of this world that are not of God.
And we need people who will obey the Spirit, people who will lead and show the way and invite others on the journey, and a people whose hearts will stay faithful to God in the good times and the terrible.
It’s time.
“But as for you, be strong; don’t be discouraged, for your work has a reward” (2 Chr 15:7).
