Sermon Central
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Asa's Prayer
Contributed by Arlen Payne on Apr 29, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: When he was against apparent insurmountable odds, Asa turned to the Lord in prayer
Asa’s Prayer
Intro.
Sometimes life can seem overwhelming
It seems that the odds are against us and there is no way out.
- We feel trapped
- We feel cheated
- We feel miserable
A modern philosopher said recently that “life is suffering”
I. Asa’s Positions
A. In history
1. Asa was the third King of Judah (Israel divided)
2. Asa was the third grandson of Solomon
3. His father had abandoned God and worshiped idols.
1Kings 15:3 And he walked in all the sins of his father,
which he had done before him: and his heart was not
perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his
father.
4. Under Asa there had been no war for 10 years. Vs. 1
B. In his character
1. Chr. 14:2 And Asa did that which was good and right in the
eyes of the LORD his God:
2. He removed his father’s false gods. Vs. 3, 5
a. Took way their altars
b. Removed the “high places” and idols
c. Cut down the groves - Astoreth
3. He led a return to God and His Word. Vs. 4
4. He fortified of cities. Vs. 6-7
5. He strengthened his armies. Vs. 8
a. 300,000 out or Judah
b. 280,000 out of Benjamin
c. An army of 580,000 men (well prepared)
C. There was “rest” or peace in the land. Vs. 1,7,
D. They were prosperous. Vs. 7
II. Asa’s Predicament. Vs. 9-10
A. Zerah the Ethiopian
B. A great army.
1. A host of a thousand thousand - one million
2. 300 Chariots
C. Asa’s problem
1. An army with nearly one half as many men.
2. Though well armed, there is no mention of chariots in Asa’s
army
3. The battle was set. Vs. 10
a. One Million against 580,000
b. Insurmountable odd
III. Asa’s prayer. Vs. 11
A. He recognized God’s ability “it is nothing with thee to help”
1. God can do anything.
2. God is able…
B. He realized own inability “whether with many, or with them
that have no power:”
1. He knew he could not win.
2. Though powerful, there is always something or someone more powerful.
3. It was beyond his human ability.
C. He requested a specific need. “Help us”
1. The request was simple
2. It was not flowery with a lot of big fancy words.
3. Sometimes, this is all the prayer we need.
a. Peter walking on water…”Lord save me”
b. Disciples in the storm “Lord save us”
D. He rested totally on the Lord. . “O LORD our God; for we
rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude.”
1. He was totally in God’s hands
2. He just let go to let God.
3. He was going ahead in God’s name
E. He rehearsed his relationship with God. “O LORD, thou art our God ”
1. LORD - Jehovah
2. NOT the idols of his father
2. Thou art OUR God
a. The Creator (same word for “God”)
b. There was no other.
F. He relied on God to prevail. “let not man prevail against thee.”
1. He recognized that the battle was the Lord’s
2. God told Jehoshaphat “Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be
not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s”
G. God’s response. Vs. 12
1. God gave the victory.
2. God answered Asa’s prayer.
3. The enemy was sent “packing” — running.
Conclusion
When the odds seem insurmountable — pray, look what God did for Asa.
Let go and let God
Even the devil will flee from you.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
