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This morning I read the account of King Asa. Here’s a man the God blessed and prospered at a young age because he trusted the Lord. God did great things for him and his people; He gave them victory over enemies and peace for many years. But Asa apparently didn’t know that God is the only one he should turn to in times of trouble. An adversary rose up against him and Asa decides to call on the son of his dad’s old buddy to intercede for him. His father used to do it so why not? God wants us to rely on him, not some other earthly king. So later Asa developed a disease at the end of his life and went to the physician instead of God for healing.
Most of us have never seen God do great things on our behalf; at least we don’t notice. We have many idols in our lives; cars, houses, finances, government programs, entertainment, the list is endless. So all we have is the inventions of man to depend on in our hour of need. Scripture says that Asa did a foolish thing when he forgot what God can do. We are foolish too by relying on a man for everything.
When the Israelites wandered the desert for forty years, they forgot the parting of the Red Sea, the manna, their garments and sandals never wearing out, the pillar of fire, and the cloud of protection. In the end they weren’t worthy to enter the promised land. They suffered and died in the wilderness. We are blessed to live in America. Our “wilderness” is much posher than the Israelites had. Yet we forget the provision of God. We take it for granted.
Anything that goes wrong, we call somebody. Somebody is supposed to remedy our problem. God is not a bureaucrat. He has no phone number, app, or web address. We have no gadgets to reach Him, so we don’t.
Being on our knees praying seems archaic, like something primitive people would do. Certainly, the God of such a marvelous universe wouldn’t expect us to be lowly and contrite. Aren’t we worthy because of the cross? Or are we worthy because we carry our own cross and obey His commandments? Asa learned that God doesn’t take kindly to people who forget His kindness and grace. Asa forgot once and then again. Once we stop relying on God, each time thereafter is easier. Eventually, we don’t even think of it.