May 1 2010

May 1 Lessons on Healing (1) - Asa

I have shared with you before that I would study the word “heal” in the Bible [rapha in the Old Testament]. Since then I have learned quite a few precious lessons. Let me share one with you today on King Asa.

King Asa started off on the right path doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord. His heart was fully committed to the Lord (1 Kings 5: 14, 2 Chronicles 14: 17).

During Asa’ reign, the country was at peace. The word “peace” or “rest” (from two different Hebrew words [nuwach & shaqat] occurred four times in verses 1-7. Most notably, Asa acknowledged that it was the Lord who gave them rest on every side and therefore they were able to build the towns and prosper (v.7).

In Asa’s first war with the Cushites, he called on the Lord and relied on Him. After this first victory, God encouraged him through the prophet Azariah: “The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you… (2 Chron. 15:2-3).” Asa then took courage to further remove idolatry in Judah, even to the extent of deposing his grandmother Maacah who made a repulsive Asherah pole from the queen mother position. He repaired the altar and assembled the people before the Lord, leading the congregation to a recommitment to seek after God. “All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the Lord gave them rest on every side.” (2 Chron. 15:15). There was no more war until the thirty-fifth year of Asa's reign ( v.19).

Unfortunately when Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, Asa turned to Ben-Hadad king of Aram for help. [Note: Israel and Judah were the Northern and Southern Kingdom, they were actually one family.] He took the silver and gold out of the treasuries of the Lord's temple and of his own palace in order to build a treaty with this foreign king for security. Hanini the prophet came to warn him and reminded him of the Lord’s deliverance when he relied on the Lord, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” (2 Chron. 16:8-9). But Asa was so enraged he put Hanini into prison instead. In the meantime he also began oppressing the people.

There are three important repetitions (relevant themes) in my study of Asa: 1) fully committed to the Lord (3 times), 2) peace/rest, 3) seek after God. I think the most unique is Asa’s “fully committed” to the Lord. The Hebrew words [shalem (“perfect,” “full”), lebab (“heart”)] can be translated as perfect heart. Asa is the only king described with this perfect heart (2 times). Unfortunately he did not seek after God again when the prophet reminded him to do so in his failure. Finally Asa “was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians (2 Chron. 16:12-13). {The word physicians is "rapha" in Hebrew - healing] How very sad! The Bible clearly indicated that he could have sought help from the Lord.

In my illness I am reminded of the privilege to seek help from the Lord. Today when I woke up, I prayed for all of us to remain fully committed to the Lord until the very end. In all hardships let us not rely on worldly strengths, resources and knowledge. If we have swayed, may we return to the Lord once we are reminded!

“The Lord is with you when you are with him” (2 Chronicles 15:2)

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9) – HE IS LOOKING FOR YOU!

May 1 A Precious Soul

Great news!

I shared about my friend’s father on the April 25th blog entry. He had been bringing me food after my surgery and was then found to have a serious heart condition. He could have a heart attack during these food delivery errands! Fortunately our sovereign Lord's plan is most brilliant! He protected him and prepared something wonderful for him. He now has a pace maker installed. I visited after his discharge from hospital. He then shared his experience; apparently the Lord had prepared his heart to receive His salvation during hospitalization. Victor and I had the privilege of sharing the Gospel with him last night and he accepted Christ in the presence of his daughter and grand-daughter! Praise the Lord!!

This is also God’s very special gift to me. Since my discovery of cancer, I realized my unfinished task on earth is to faithfully and diligently share the Gospel. [Particularly I was just starting a bible study group with mainland students and I prayed that someday I could return to the task and win the battle for God. 收復失地!]However I did not feel like I am gifted in evangelism. in this incident, the Lord shows me He works in mysterious ways. He is the one who prepares the souls for His salvation and we are sent only as messengers.