Tag: Asa

When you look at Asa’s story in 1 Kings, it seems like he was a really good king.

But we do see hints that there were spiritual issues in his life, with him taking gold and silver from the Lord’s temple in order to make a treaty with Ben-Hadad.

Asa’s spiritual issues are made much more explicit in 2 Chronicles 16.

God rebuked Asa for his actions through the prophet Hanani, and Asa threw him in prison. And when Asa suffered from his illness later, we find out that he refused to seek out God for help, but only doctors.

It made me think, “Was Asa saved? Will we see him in heaven?”

I’m going to guess yes. Why? Well, the writer of Kings does say of his overall reign that he did what was right in God’s eyes and was committed to the Lord his whole life. (1 Kings 15:11, 14)

That seems strange, considering what we see in Chronicles.

But I think it’s consistent with what God said of David. He said that David “kept my commands and followed me with all his heart, doing only what was right in my eyes.” (1 Kings 14:8)

The writer of Kings echoes that thought in chapter 15, but adds a caveat: “except in the matter of Uriah the Hethite.” (1 Kings 15:5; 2 Samuel 11)

God impressed two things on my heart as I thought about David and Asa.

First, we do live by grace. And when he sees us, he sees us as righteous in his sight. Not because we are perfect. But ultimately because of what Jesus did for us on the cross.

We are clothed in his righteousness, and despite our failures, on judgment day, God can say of us, “You kept my commands, followed me with all your heart, doing only what is right in my eyes.”

That’s pretty amazing to think about.

But the other thing that God impressed on my heart is that our actions can affect the quality of our relationship with God here on earth. And one aspect of that is how we receive God’s discipline.

David responded well and maintained a strong relationship with God to the end of his life.

Asa didn’t, and his relationship with God deteriorated as a result.

How are your actions affecting the quality of your relationship with God?