The Problem of Your Own Understanding

Our story is going to come from the book of 2 Chronicles, chapter 16. I will narrate the story in brief; Asa the King (of Judah) was right in God’s eyes, but when King Baasha (of Israel) fortifies Ramah, Asa is disadvantaged. It was like he was land locked in one way or another, for none would go out or come in to meet Asa.

Asa then sends gold and silver to Benhadad of Syria, letting him know that there was a league (alliance) between them. And that the trinkets were reward (in advance) for him to break the league.

Benhadad sent captains of his armies, which succeeded in scattering Baasha. But Hanani the seer, came to Asa and said unto him, “Because you relied on the king of Syria and not on the Lord thy God, therefore the host of the King of Syria is escaped out of your hand.”

The next verse mentions that God not only gave victory to Asa over the Ethiopians and Lubims; but also delivered them into his hands.

It is one thing for your enemy to flee one day — returning another. It is another God delivering them into your hands or drowning them with their chariots such that you see them no more.

God avowed that since Asa had asked for Syria’s help, and not His, that Syria would no longer be subdued by Asa. This is the interesting part, as it reechoes the previous blog’s notion. Syria had been like a mighty tenant under Judah. But now, they were as though moving out into their own house, thus they wouldn’t be able to be summoned as easily as earlier!

Asa did not walk by faith but by sight. What he saw influenced his next actions. If he was with Elisha, his eyes would have been prayed for to see the fiery host on his side (in the sky) which was greater than those that were against him!

Asa imprisoned Hanani for mentioning the words of defeat. Years later, he got diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceedingly great. And the Bible says, ‘yet in his disease, he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians.’

He never learnt his lesson! Remember Namaan and Elisha? This captain required the prophet. What if the Hanani he threw in prison, was his Elisha! What if he had the instruction Asa needed to obey to receive his healing?

From this story, I learn about the deception of riches, the deception of connections and alliances. God isn’t against them, but He prefers being sought FIRST. Proverbs 3 says ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.’

Jehoshaphat did the right thing. When Syria attacked, through the children of Moab, Ammon and Seir, Jehoshaphat sought the Lord (2 Chron 20) proclaiming a fast even, for all Judah, to ask help of the Lord.

He didn’t check for who could join him to fight back. He didn’t think of who he could bribe and win over! No! He went straight to God first!

And God by the prophets answered, saying, “Be not afraid … the battle is not yours, it is the Lord’s. You shall not need to fight in this battle. Stand ye still and see the salvation of the Lord…”

God encouraged them to go out. And as they praised Him, He set ambushes amidst their enemies who all killed each other! Among other things; like the Israelites collecting loot for three days, all the neighbors about had the fear of God fall on them.

I know your parents have the right connections! But that deception will prevent God from showing off as God in that situation! I know you have a rich uncle here and ‘aunty money’ over there, but let not that deceive you that God isn’t higher! May He have first place in all you endeavor to!

The paradox here, is God can even give you higher relationships, such as having access to the help of the president of a country or the CEO of company X; just to test and see if you will remember to ask of Him first!

Sadly, most of us think to ourselves, Afterall, Isn’t He the same who connected me to them! I mustn’t bother Him…

O mercy, Lord! Have great mercy on us! And may your Spirit remind us to put you first! To ask you first! And front you first!

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II Chronicles‬ ‭20‬:‭12b … nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.
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Jeremiah‬ ‭10‬:‭23‬ O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
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Jeremiah 17:5-6 Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, And shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited.”
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