He Cried Out

Have you ever tried to pat yourself on the head with one hand while simultaneously rubbing your tummy with the other? Go ahead. Try it. Although more challenging than it sounds, it’s not an impossible task. It just requires a little finesse and some real focus.  

These skills are demonstrated simultaneously by King Asa. Coming against an army substantially greater, using all his prowess, smarts, and military might brought out the finesse. At the same time, going out was worthless if God did not help them. As the king moved out toward the enemy, Asa made known his reliance on the Lord for survival. 

If there was going to be a victory, God alone would bring it, regardless of how strong they proved to be in battle. It was the Lord’s name at stake, not the glory of King Asa, and he specifically petitioned God to stop the enemy from prevailing against God. 

Why is he so fixated on making this God’s problem? How is he convinced God will help him, anyway? What’s so wrong with pleading for his own life and legacy? “How about making MY name great, Lord?” Or, “What about not letting man prevail against…ME?”

In our present-day predicaments, it might sound like, “Don’t let me lose, God. I don’t want to be a failure!” Or even, “Do something! I don’t want my relationship to fizzle.” It’s really all the same quest: “Don’t let man prevail against ME!” 

Our man, Asa, doesn’t want to fail any more than you do. He seems to have learned a thing or two about conquering personal defeat. What does he do that you and I need to remember? 

When it’s Go Time, his focus is not on himself, but God. Somehow Asa knows his own name will never bring the victory. He understands that in himself, he has no saving power. But God? Now that’s a different story altogether. 

You and I need to remember that nothing has changed. Overcoming defeat still involves the finesse of going out, doing all God has equipped us to do, but also focusing on Him, asking God to make His name great in the going. Yes. We cry out to God in our trouble and hurting situations. But, making my name great or yours, will never point anyone to the saving power of grace. The name of Jesus? Now, that’s an entirely different matter.