How To Live Well and Finish Well (or not finish badly)
Kevin Harney
I have been reading and reflecting on the Old Testament book of 2 Chronicles. When I got to the three chapters devoted to King Asa, the ruler over the people of Judah and Jerusalem for more than four decades, I felt the need to stop and linger there for a full week. After a lot of study and prayer, I wrote a letter to a group of friends. I invite you to read these same reflections and invite the Spirit of God to speak to you as well. Here is a slightly edited version of what I e-mailed:
Asa “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.” His life account is found in 2 Chronicles 14-16 and the briefer version is found in 1 Kings 15:9-24. I want to strongly encourage you to set aside some time in the next 48 hours, get somewhere quiet, and read the reflections below. Then, prayerfully read 2 Chronicles 14-16 and reflect on each of the questions. I believe it will be well worth your time! I am confident the Holy Spirit, through the truth of the written Word of God, will move in your life.
How to Live Well! Lessons from Asa: (2 Chronicles 14-15)
Lesson 1- He cleaned house and cleared out what was dishonoring to God! (14:3, 14:5, 15:8, 15:16)
When Asa saw the spiritual junk accumulating in his life, among the people, and around his nation, he went after it. Idols and false worship were everywhere and it broke the heart of God. So, Asa went into action. Notice the severity of the words. He “smashed,” “removed,” and “cut down,” the things that needed to go. He went into spiritual “Hulk Mode!”
What needs to be cut down and removed from your life?
Where have idols been allowed to stay unchecked in your heart?
What do you need to do to rip them down?
Lesson 2- He called the people around him to follow God and walk in obedience to His ways! (14:4, 15:8, 15:10-15)
Asa was not content to walk the road of repentance alone. He called the people around him to seek God, follow the Lord’s commands, and turn from sin. He wanted to see the nation transformed by the presence and glory of God.
Who can you invite to join you in seeking the face of God?
How can you influence your family, community, and nation to turn to God?
Lesson 3- He fortified his life, the city, his nation and it led to a season of peace! (14:6-8)
Asa realized that it was not enough to cut down and cast out the bad. We need to fortify the walls, build up defenses, and stand against the tsunami of spiritual attack coming against us.
What can you do to fortify your life (and your family)
against future attacks and enticements of the enemy and the culture?
Lesson 4– When enemies came, he cried out to God for help and followed the Lord’s leading into the battle. (14:9-15)
In this season of his life, Asa automatically looked to the Lord when battles raged around him. He did his part and was ready to fight, but there was a deep and strong conviction that his wisdom and power were not enough to bring the victory. Only God’s presence and strength would save them. Asa went so far as to declare that he and the people were “powerless” without the Lord!
What battles are you facing and how can you call out to God
for help rather than trusting in your wisdom and strength alone?
Lesson 5- He listened to the wisdom of people filled with the Spirit of God. (15:1-8)
God graciously sent Azariah to speak some transformational truth into the heart and life of Asa. As the King, Asa could have disregarded this council. But, he listened, learned, and the nation was blessed because he did.
Who has God placed in your life that is wise and godly?
How can you learn from people like this and humbly receive spiritual encouragement?
Sadly, Asa’s story does not end after 2 Chronicles 14-15. There is one more chapter. This godly and wise man who “Did what was good and right in the eyes of his Lord,” failed to finish well. This did not erase the good he did (and we can learn wonderful lessons from his earlier years) but it did leave a dark cloud over the end of his life. As you read 2 Chronicles 16 and ponder these reflections, invite the Holy Spirit of God to use the written words of Scripture to speak to your heart and fortify you for the future.
What needs to be cut down and removed from your life? Where have idols been allowed to stay unchecked in your heart? What do you need to do to rip them down?
How to Finish Poorly! Hard Lessons from Asa’s Later Life: (2 Chronicles 16)
Lesson 1- If you want to finish poorly, when the pressure is on, trust in human strategy, your own wisdom, and stop seeking God’s help in times of need! (16:1-7)
Asa is now more than three and a half decades into his kingship. He has seen God deliver the nation and tasted the Lord’s faithfulness. Another enemy raises his head and mobilizes his forces. This time Asa does not turn to the Lord but he looks to his own wisdom, alliance-making skills, and human power.
With lots of life experience, how are you tempted to lean on your own wisdom
in this time of life and forget to look to the Lord for His leading?
How can you make it a habit to always look to God before you rely on your own wisdom?
Lesson 2- If you want to finish poorly, forget the times God was faithful and delivered you in the past! (16:8)
Asa had forgotten the simple truth Hanani placed right in front of him. God had delivered His people in the past. When they had relied on God’s power and leadership, they were fine. But now Asa trusted his own strategic mind more than the hand of God Almighty. That is raw pride. But we can be tempted to do the same.
How can you remember God’s past faithfulness so you seek Him first for all future challenges?
Lesson 3- If you want to finish poorly, take out your frustration on the wrong people! (16:10)
Asa threw Hanani in prison for daring to confront him and speak the truth. As a matter of fact, Hanani spoke some well-known words in the Bible (the kind that get quoted a lot and end up on beautiful plaques in the kitchen, but few people know the biblical context!). Inspired by the Spirit of God Hanai said, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (16:9). Asa’s response was to lock Hanai up because he spoke convicting words from the Lord. Asa also began to oppress some of his own people.
How are you tempted to take things out on the wrong people?
How can you encourage and affirm people who dare to speak truth into your life?
Lesson 4- If you want to finish poorly, when you are in a time of need, look to human solutions only and forget to cry out to God in your time of need! (16:11-13)
Near the end of his life, Asa dealt with a disease that attacked his feet. It got very serious, but we learn that Asa did not cry to God for help. He went to doctors (which was not a bad thing), but he trusted people alone and did not look to the Lord for any help. When he was younger, his first response seemed to be… cry out to God. Now it was… trust in people. God uses people, but our reflexive response to all we face in life should be to seek the Lord first!
When you face a sickness, struggle, or conflict, what is your first response?
How can you seek the help of God first no matter what
you encounter this season of your life?
God’s Word is powerful. The account of Asa is recorded in the Bible so we can learn (from both good and bad examples). My prayer is that each of us will run strong to the end of the race God has placed before us. Stay faithful. Seek Jesus more and more with each passing day. Immerse yourself in the Word of God. Love your family well. Run hard to the end of the race and when you cross the finish line, hear our Savior declare, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Never forget these words, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (16:9). Keep your heart fully committed to Jesus!
I hope these reflections encourage you to live well for the glory of God and follow Jesus faithfully to the very end!
With you on the journey,
Kevin G. Harney