Daily Read - 2 Chronicles 14:1-16:14; Romans 9:1-24; Psalm 19:1-14; Proverbs 20:1
   
The story of Asa in 2 Chronicles 14-16 is both inspirational and tragically sobering. Asa was an awesome king in that he began his reign in total obedience to God. He tore down all the altars of idolatry, obliterated the high places, and told Judah to worship the God of their fathers. He closely heeded the word of the Lord through the prophet Azaria and found favor with God and man as a result. He reigned for years in peace from war.
 
Tragically, in the 36th year of his 41-year reign as king, he began seeking the arm of flesh rather than the heart of God for instruction and direction. His walk before the Lord turned from one of obedience to that of rebellion. God's response was quick and poignant. He sent Hanani the seer whose name means, my mercy and my grace with a strong corrective message. Rather than embracing the word of the Lord, he rejected it and threw Hanani into prison. From this point on, Asa experienced deterioration in every area of his life. Ironically, disease struck his feet, which ultimately led to his death. His feet led him on a path that took him away from His God and his feet led him to his death.
 
Throughout scripture, the Lord reveals to His children the blessings that follow obedience and the consequences of rebellion. Obedience is vital in this critical hour and we cannot afford to ignore His voice. 
 
In His mercy, the Lord sent a message to Asa through His seer Hanani to persuade him to turn and walk back into the arms of his God, but he hardened his heart even further. The Holy Spirit is our advocate and he continually beckons us to walk in the ways of the Lord. Do we heed His voice or do we continue to walk in our own ways empowered by our own strength? There is only one way that produces the favor and blessings of God and that is to walk in His ways. All other roads lead to disappointment, chaos, and ultimate destruction. 
 
As He did through Hanani, God places authority in our lives as His mercy and grace extended. We may not like the vessel God uses or the message, but we are instructed in the Word of God to honor and respect those He places in authority over our lives. They may not even be Christians, but He uses very unusual and unlikely people to deliver His messages. The Lord did not say to honor just the Christian authority in our life; He said to honor all authority.
 
Spend time in prayer and ask Holy Spirit to reveal any area where you walk in rebellion toward God and those in authority. Quickly repent and ask Him to help you tune into and obey His voice.