God had spoken 2 Chronicles 7:14 to Solomon years before, and now we get a glimpse into what this looks like in real life.
vs 5-6 - The peace of the city had been replaced with violence (sound like a public school to you?).
vs 7 - God promised a reward if Asa remained faithful to Him (in the next chapter we see him aiming for the reward and not God).
vs 8 - Asa responded by "doing" something (3 parts to prayer - Keep Watch, Pray, Get Up And Do Something!).
1) He removed what was evil - he got rid of idols (anything that stands in the way of God, even good things!).
2) He restored what was good - he brought back true worship so they couldn't worship however they saw fit.
This wasn't just creating good culture, but reinstituting that which drew people toward God.
vs 9 - He gathered them for a solemn assembly.
Note - many non-Jews wanted to become Jews at this time, not because of Asa's cool programs but by his spirit - they saw him as someone whom had the presence of God on him - this is the Law of Attraction.
How did Asa manifest God's Spirt? 1) Resisted Evil 2) Restored Good.
vs 10-11 - They sacrificed abundantly to God - people were getting right with God!
vs 12-14 - They entered back into the covenant God had made with His people because they sought Him with their WHOLE heart.
The covenant still existed but they had voluntarily walked away from it, but by their repentance they were back in.
vs 15 - God gave them rest. The peace of God inside you will manifest itself outside you.
What happens internally will manifest itself externally, so if we want peace in our land it starts with us!
2 Chronicles 31:1-2:
When Hezekiah's assembly was over they went and tore down anything that stood between them and God.
He then restored that which needed to be restored (the duties and roles of the Levites).
This is what reformation "looks like." It doesn't end with the prayer.
2 Chronicles 15:5-15 (8/7/14)
Reformation
August 7, 2014 • Benham Brothers
2 Chronicles 1:6-7 (6/28/18)
June 28, 2018 • Benham Brothers
* Solomon offered 1,000 burnt offerings on the altar when he was inaugurated as king. * There was no command to do this and was WAY more than customary. * This is like giving hundreds of thousands of dollars away. * He spared no expense for God. * How did God respond? * He decided to give Solomon something in return - a chance to ask for “anything” he wanted. * Solomon gave to God what was already God’s (the animals) and so God gave Solomon something he didn’t have - wisdom. * Key - give God what you have and then you can expect him to give back to you a hundredfold return. * Solomon’s wisdom was far more valuable than 1,000 animals.
2 Chronicles 3:1 (6.25/15)
June 25, 2015 • Benham Brothers
God gave David the pattern of the temple but didn't let him execute the building of it. David then gave it to Solomon his son who executed it with precision. This is the pattern of Fatherhood for us to follow today: 1) God gives dad a pattern for His kingdom. 2) Dad models this and builds to the best of his ability, recognizing his work will not be completed before he dies. 3) Dad passes down this pattern to his son. 4) Son executes the plan exactly as dad passed down, which dad got directly from God. 5) Son then becomes a dad and does the same thing.