LEARNING DAILY

 

2 Chronicles 28:5-6, Therefore the lord His God handed him [King Ahaz] over to the king of Aram. The Arameans defeated him and took many of his people as prisoners and brought them to Damascus. He was also given into the hands of the king of Israel, who inflicted heavy casualties on him. In one day Pekah son of Remaliah killed a hundred and twenty thousand soldiers in Judah – because Judah had forsaken the Lord, the God of their fathers.

 

The king of Judah at this time was a man named Ahaz. He did acknowledge God; He did not follow Him. Instead, he led the people into following terrible and false pagan practices. He allowed the people to build statues to these gods and allowed for children to be sacrificed in the land; he even sacrificed his own children. You need to remember this to understand the verses above.

 

The prophet Isaiah was prophetically speaking about the coming of the Messiah and the kingdom He would establish. No doubt Ahaz thought this prophet was some sort of dreamer – it is doubtful Ahaz understood any of what Isaiah spoke. Isaiah was also prophesying that the scattered people of Judah would be gathered from the four corners of the earth and peace would come through the “Root of Jesse” (Isaiah 11). Ahaz had no faith in God to believe He could actually defeat Israel and Syria (or even Assyria, if necessary (The Daily Bible in Chronological Order). God had become fed up with Ahaz and allowed the kingdom of Aram to soundly defeat Ahaz and Judah. King Pekah of Israel also inflicted heavy casualties on Ahaz (120,000 troops were killed). Yes, the sins of King Ahaz were great, and God was punishing him for them.

 

Why does this matter to you and me? We either quit sinning and follow God and His Word or quit God and continue to walk in our sin. King Ahaz did not learn from his great military defeats; he continued in his sinful devotion to foreign gods instead of repenting and following the One True God. God wants those who ask Him into their hearts to follow Him and depart from worldly pursuits and endeavors – to walk on a narrow way into His kingdom. That does not mean stop living our lives, pursuing the living we have been doing nor does it mean we stop trying to do good in the community in which we live. It means the motives of our heart change. Instead of living life for our own glory we live to bring honor and glory to our heavenly Father. A follower of Jesus Christ needs to be very careful they do not replace anything in God’s Word with worldly ideas you would rather follow instead. There are some hard truths in God’s Word that confront what our culture wants us to believe is true and confront our selfish and sinful preferences. The truth of God’s Word tells us we are to replace His standards for those worldly things and customs we hold so tightly to.

 

Ahaz did not trust God to guide him or help him in times of trial and difficulties. Instead, he turned to foreign and pagan nations. The result was terrible defeat of his army. Where do you turn when trials, temptations, and difficulties come? May I suggest turning to the Lord and His word! Experience has shown me that trials come to teach us the pointlessness of trusting in ourselves or any worldly wisdom. Yet too many Christians turn to worldly psychology to help them with their trials because it makes them feel better. Well, the issue is not if it makes you feel better; the issue is if it is biblical! Seeking help from the world did not help Ahaz! We need to remember that. What does it cost a person to get on their knees, Bible in hand and seek God’s help? Or what about sitting (or emailing) a brother or sister in the Lord to ask for their help regarding your need? Ahaz could have called on Isaiah. But he did not, and his loss was great. The world is not your friend and never delivers what it promises.

 

Do you get the message? Diligently seek God and do all you can to walk on the narrow way to eternity in His kingdom. When you do, He hears from heaven and guides you through all the trials, temptations, and difficulties you face. That is His promise and, on that promise, you must depend!