The Danger of Success

 Read 2 Chronicles 16. 

All stories do not have happy endings.  One may be incredibly successful at some point in their lives and then destroy their legacy with later, foolish decisions.  History is replete with examples.  Unfortunately, King Asa was one of those.  He started so well but he did not finish well. 

In his early years, he relied on the LORD to guide and establish him.  But in the latter years, when the northern kingdom of Israel began building a blockade against him, he faltered.  The alliance with a neighbor did not seem to be a violation in itself.  The text is clear, however, that Asa looked to human resources for continued success in the place of relying on God first.  Asa had faced bigger situations than this, but in that prior time he prayed and God gave him victory. 

It is usually not the new challenge that trips us up.  Most often, it is the same one that has been nagging at us for some time. 

There is a difference then in one using resources (personal gifts, abilities, skills, finances, other people) in life versus relying solely on them.  Or, as my friend Dr. John Maxwell has written, "talent is not enough." 

At this point, what Asa missed most in his understanding of life and his relationship with God was this:

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him." 

God is looking-searching-for individuals who need His strong support and will rely on Him with all their heart.