Bible Commentaries

2 Chronicles 14:2

There is many a useful lesson to be learnt from the story of Asa's life.

Consider:—

I. Where his piety was born. In a most unlikely home. He was brought up in an ungodly family. The court was corrupt. Society was rotten. The moral atmosphere he breathed was enough to poison the finest child that was ever born. The same grace that preserved Asa pure and devout amid the corruptions of the royal court may keep you clean.

II. How was Asa's piety evidenced? (1) By his fervent prayerfulness. (2) By his uncompromising opposition to everything that was sinful.

III. Where did the piety of Asa fail? His prosperity proved—I shall not say his ruin, but his loss—his eternal loss. It may have added to the lustre of his earthly crown, but I fear it dimmed the splendour of his heavenly.

J. Thain Davidson, Talks with Young Men, p. 219.

2 Chronicles 14:11

I. Prayer in emergencies should be founded on a strong faith in God's independence of human resources and methods of judgment. Much is gained when we appreciate the ease with which God achieves marvellous issues in response to prayer. "A God doing wonders" is one of His significant titles—significant of the usage of His dominion. To Him there are no such things as emergencies.

II. The example before us suggests a profound sense of the inadequacy of all other sources of relief but God. We need to feel that we are shut up to God, and to God only.

III. Prayer in emergencies is a profound identification with God. "In Thy name we go against this multitude." In a selfish prayer we beat the winds. Nothing is sure in this world but the purposes of God. No interests are safe but His. No cause is secure but His.

IV. One other phase of prayer in such emergencies is a hearty recognition of God's ownership of us. "O Lord, Thou art our God; let not man prevail against Thee." By the right of creation and redemption we belong to God. Will God desert His own with such rights as these?

A. Phelps, The Old Testament a Living Book, p. 33.

References: 2 Chronicles 14:11.—G. Brooks, Outlines of Sermons, p. 234; J. E. Vaux, Sermon Notes, 1st series, p. 20.