INTRODUCTION: King Asa shows us how to have victory in our lives, just as he had victory over his enemies in this chapter. He began his reign right, serving the Lord. But he was faced with the greatest crisis in his reign. A one million man Ethiopian invaded his land. How could he have victory against such a host? 

While we may never have a million men bearing down on us it may feel like it! How can we win victory in life over all its problems? We can learn from King Asa. 
 
 

BODY
 
 

I. KING ASA’S RIGHTEOUSNESS - Vs. 1-2

A. He understood at an early age that the pathway to victory in life is paved by righteous living.

1. 2 Chronicles 14:1-2 "So Abijah rested with his fathers, and they buried him in the City of David. Then Asa his son reigned in his place. In his days the land was quiet for ten years. 2- Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God,"

2. Asa likely began his reign at an early age. He began the right way, serving the Lord as diligently as he knew how.

B. We must live righteous lives if we are to expect God’s assistance in overcoming spiritual enemies.

1. Titus 2:12 - Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

2. Romans 12:1-2

3. 1 John 1:7-9

A. Asa removed all idols and false gods in the land.

1. 2 Chronicles 14:3-5 "for he removed the altars of the foreign gods and the high places, and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the wooden images. 4- He commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to observe the law and the commandment. 5- He also removed the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah, and the kingdom was quiet under him. 

2. He fulfilled Exodus 20:1-6.

B. If we are to be victorious in the Lord we must tear down all the idols and stumbling blocks that come between us and victorious Christian living.

1. Hebrews 12:1- "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,"

2. Actually, anything that takes the place of Jehovah God in our lives is an idol. We might not bow down to it, but it is an idol nonetheless. 

a. Example of covetousness - Colossians  3:5

A. He reminded those under his leadership to seek the Lord.

1. Verse 4- "He commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to observe the law and the commandment."

B. We need constant reminders from one another of our mission and the need to remain faithful.

1. 1 Peter 1:10-12 "Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11- searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12- "To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven; things which angels desire to look into."

2. Jude 4-5 "For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. 5- But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe."

3. 1 Corinthians 10:1, 6- "Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea...Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted."

4. God’s people need to be reminded of their obligations, what God will do for us, and the consequences in the past of disobedience.

A. He prepared himself for battle

1. 2 Chronicles 14:6-8 "And he built fortified cities in Judah, for the land had rest; he had no war in those years, because the LORD had given him rest. 7- Therefore he said to Judah, "Let us build these cities and make walls around them, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us, because we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side." So they built and prospered. 8- And Asa had an army of three hundred thousand from Judah who carried shields and spears, and from Benjamin two hundred and eighty thousand men who carried shields and drew bows; all these were mighty men of valor."

B. just as we should prepare ourselves for spiritual warfare

1. Ephesians 6:10-18

2. 2 Timothy 2:3-4 "You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4- No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier."

3. 2 Corinthians 10:4- "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,"

A. When the enemy came, he relied on God

1. 2 Chronicles 14:9-11 "Then Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots, and he came to Mareshah. 10- So Asa went out against him, and they set the troops in battle array in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. 11- And Asa cried out to the LORD his God, and said, "LORD, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!""

B. Old Testament saints understood that they were powerless without Jehovah.

1. Moses -"How could one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Unless their Rock had sold them, And the LORD had surrendered them?" (Deuteronomy 32:30).

2. Jonathan - "Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the LORD will work for us. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few."" (1 Samuel 14:6).

C. God’s people today must rely upon God to give them a spiritual victory.

1. Philippians 4:13- "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

2. Colossians 1:11 - "strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;"

3. 1 Corinthians 15:57 - "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

4. 1 John 5:4 - For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith.

5. James 4:7 - Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

A. God gave the victory

1. 2 Chronicles 14:12-15 "So the LORD struck the Ethiopians before Asa and Judah, and the Ethiopians fled. 13- And Asa and the people who were with him pursued them to Gerar. So the Ethiopians were overthrown, and they could not recover, for they were broken before the LORD and His army. And they carried away very much spoil. 14- Then they defeated all the cities around Gerar, for the fear of the LORD came upon them; and they plundered all the cities, for there was exceedingly much spoil in them. 15- They also attacked the livestock enclosures, and carried off sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem."

B. God promises a victory for all those who remain loyal to Him.

1. 2 Timothy 2:12 - If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.

2. Revelation 2:10 - "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Copyright 1999 by Grady Scott may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.