June 15, 2021: SOAP #4212:  1Kings 16; 2Chronicles 15,16; Colossians 1

SCRIPTURE:  2Chronicles (NIV) 16:7 At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: “Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. 8 Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen? Yet when you relied on the LORD, he delivered them into your hand. 9 For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.”

OBSERVATION:  Reliance is an expression of faith.  When we have faith in something or someone, we rely on them.  Faith in a bank is shown in reliance on that bank, we deposit money for safe keeping.  Our level of faith in a person can be seen in our reliance on that person. 

From the above verses, it is understood that God sees these issues in the same way.  God was offended when King Asa relied on the King of Aram and not on the LORD his god!!! 

APPLICATION:  When I need help, to whom do I go first?  I will probably go to where I believe I will find the help that I need.  So, with all the promises in God’s Word, God should be the first one to whom I should run!  

When I beg and plead with someone to help me, I am demonstrating that I have more faith in man than in God!   It is true that God often uses people to meet our needs, but He gets the glory when their help is given at God’s leading. 

PRAYER: Lord, my faith is in you!  In love for me, you have hidden many promises in the pages of your word.  And even more, you have given me your Holy Spirit to help me find them and apply them to my life.  I am blessed!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!