Xanthe Hancox

In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa became king of Judah, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty-one years. His grandmother’s name was Maakah daughter of Abishalom. Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father David had done. 1 Kings 15:9-11

Since Solomon's fall, the royal line has been in sin. His son, Rehoboam, and his grandson, Abijam, both turned away from God. Asa is the son of Abijam, and for the first since Solomon there's a ray of light in Judah's line of kings.

King Asa started his rule well. He tore down pagan altars and sacred pillars, he fortified his cities and developed a shield-bearing army of three hundred thousand men. More importantly, he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

Second Chronicles goes into more detail about Asa’s life, and there we read that when Zerah the Ethiopian threatened Judah with a vast army, Asa sought the Lord. “Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you" (2 Chronicles 14:11a). The result? "There was no more war until the thirty-fifth year of Asa's reign" (2 Chronicles 15:19).

Yet something happened in year thirty-five that negatively impacted how Asa finished his life. Baasha, the king of Israel, barricaded Judah to prevent trade, a sure sign of impending invasion. And instead of seeking the Lord's strength, Asa took the silver and gold from the treasuries of the temple and bribed a pagan king to protect him from Baasha.

The Lord sent Hanani to rebuke Asa. Hanani reminded Asa of all God had done for him, but he Asa did not listen to Hanani and instead imprisoned him. Asa even began oppressing his own people. Eventually he contracted a severe foot disease (many scholars suggest it was gout), but he still did not seek God.

What can we learn from Asa? Regardless of age, ministry position, or status, we will leave this earth either as one who finishes well or as one who stumbles. How can we finish well? Only with wholehearted devotion to God.

Prayer: Father, how I long to finish well. I read so often in Scripture of kings and leaders who got sloppy in their old age. I’ve learned the hard way that I make a mess when I try to run this race alone. Thank you for the gift of your amazing grace. Amen.