Revival and Reformation Pt 15: The Reforming Heart
Revival and Reformation Pt 15
2 Chronicles 14
The Reforming Heart
Lord God, as Paul reminded us, these things we
read are examples written down for our instruction on whom the end of the ages
has come (1 Corinthians 10.11). And so help us to attend to your word with
diligence, preparation and prayer; receive it with faith and love, lay it up in
our hearts, and practice it in our lives (Westminster Shorter Catechism 90);
that Christ our Lord may be honored. Amen.
What standards do you live by? What is it that
says to your mind: “I have arrived?” ... Now let me ask you – has it been
really worth it? Has that standard set you free? Or has it been nothing more
than a cultural or financial ball-and-chain? And when you’re overwhelmed with
insurmountable odds, I ask you, do your “Standards” carry you thru; or do they
let you down? And those who set the “standard” for you – where are they? Don’t they just snub you, or “Pity you” and
then walk off to leave you in your defeat?
We’re presented with the liberating alternative, here, in 2 Chronicles 14.
1. The
Reforming Heart of Asa - 14.2-15
A.
Overview of his good years: a Heart Aflame for God - 2-8
1.
Contrast v. 2 with 12.14. Authentic, genuine. "But the Lord said
to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature,
because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on
the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16.7).
2.
Overall proof? Expulsion of the competition. The God of Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob is not into some spiritual multiculturalism; his bells don’t ring over
“coexist”; he’s not jazzed and juiced up over religious tolerance – God is a
purist. He is el qana – the Jealous
God, who loves his people intensely, loyally, committedly and will allow for no
other lovers. Just like your wife and your husband loves you too much to permit
you marital tolerance and marital coexistence! So Asa shows his sincerity by
closing the doors to all competition, thus ensuring his single-minded in
affections and loyalties.: v. 3-7 (“Rest” 3xs; “Peace” 2xs): 2 Chronicles 20.20c.
3.
Another overall proof of his genuineness: Corporate reformation. Again the
place of leadership in pushing, influencing, coordinating or reinforcing
reformation. But also, notice that the natural flow is from his own reforming
heart outward: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right
spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy
Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a
willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will
return to you" (Ps.51:10-13).
4. Do you have a Reforming Heart? What is the
standard you’re going by? Your answer will tell if you do. The Spirit-guided
editor(s) wants the people of God (then, and now) to stop looking around at the
nations for their “Standard and approval,” and to have a heart aflame for God: "Let
love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one
another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be
slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be
patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:9-12).
B. War and Faith {His Reforming
Heart put to the test} – v. 9-15
1. 2 to 1 odds. Insurmountable odds (v. 8-10). Defeat is imminent…
1. 2 to 1 odds. Insurmountable odds (v. 8-10). Defeat is imminent…
2.
Asa’s Faith stated in prayer (14.11)
3.
Yahweh answers (v.12, 13, 14)
2. So What?
Yet, as big and important as Asa is; as much as
he’s a great guy and a super role model (at this point at least), there’s
someone else who’s the real hero here. It’s the God of v. 11, who is seen in
all the blood, gore, smoke, ash, dust and sweat of 12-15. He’s the One who is
victorious when it all looks impossible; strong when we are in our weaknesses;
valiant when we are quaking in fear. That’s the point of chapter 14 – faith is
not to be in political might; military precision; master-mindedness; in large
numbers, or impressive circumstances; not in glitz nor in glamour – but in this
God. And here is how we now see it all after the cross – how this Word is God’s
Word after the cross: 2 Corinthians 8.9; and 2 Corinthians 12.7-10 "So to keep me
from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,
a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep
me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this,
that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for
you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all
the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships,
persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." Not
in victorious Christian Living of painless-perfection; but in the real world of
pain, exhaustion, defeats, overwhelming odds, Christ rises up and raises us up,
and holds us up in His nail-scarred hands. Look there at the cross, and you
will see God entering into our defeat, our disenfranchisement, our debility,
our dispiritedness, as well as our filthy vileness, our soiled condition. And
there He butchers it. And three days later, he rises to carry us into his life,
into his white-hot love and into his triumph. And though we must follow him through the gore of the cross, yet he
carries us through to the Glory of his
Crown. Therefore, as the Psalmist says, "I lift up my eyes to the
hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven
and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2)
In conclusion,
look at TH #449...
We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender! We go not forth alone against the foe; Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender, We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go. Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender, We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.
Yes, in Thy Name, O Captain of salvation! In Thy dear Name, all other names above; Jesus our Righteousness, our sure Foundation, Our Prince of glory and our King of love. Jesus our Righteousness, our sure Foundation, Our Prince of glory and our King of love.
We go in faith, our own great weakness feeling, And needing more each day Thy grace to know: Yet from our hearts a song of triumph pealing, “We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.” Yet from our hearts a song of triumph pealing, “We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.”
We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender! Thine is the battle, Thine shall be the praise; When passing through the gates of pearly splendor, Victors, we rest with Thee, through endless days. When passing through the gates of pearly splendor, Victors, we rest with Thee, through endless days.
Comments