“nevertheless Asa’s heart was wholly devoted to the Lord all his days.” — 1 Kings 15:14b
What is hidden in our hearts
In this chapter, we read of the lives of several kings of Judah and Israel. Some were faithful to God, while others, continued spiralling in their wrong. Their stories reveal to us and remind us that what matters most is not simply what is easily perceived on the outside, but what, perhaps even we ourselves do not know, remains hidden inside our hearts.
One king, Asa, stands out. He became king of Judah and removed many things that led the people away from God, including removing his grandmother, Maachah, from her position as queen mother because she had made an idol. Asa was willing to make and follow through with difficult choices to honour God.
However, in the face of trouble from the king of Israel, ironically, he depended on the king of Syria for help instead of turning to God. Asa began his reign well, but his subsequent choices and actions warn us of the pull of temptations to rely on man despite having been faithfully following God.
A faithful marathon
Our faith in God is not a relay race; it is a lifelong marathon.
More often than we are willing to admit, we obey God only at our own convenience. We pray, read the Bible, attend services, and try to do what God bids us do on our own terms. The moment we detect the slightest onset of trials and/or tribulations, we quickly deflect our pain onto on our family, our friends, our wealth, or our own intellect.
God desires our whole heart—not only the parts of our lives that are easy to submit to Him.
Think about a beautifully built house left unattended and messy inside. Others might never know the truth beneath the design of the house if they never tried to enter in. This is analogous to the Christians we are. We look the part—perfect. What God sees is all our imperfection apart from Him.
Regardless of who we are in and to this world, a heart faithful to God is not a heart that knows no struggle; it is an undistracted heart that keeps choosing God, turning back to Him, trusting Him, and desiring Him.
Discussion Questions:
Why do you think Asa found it difficult to trust God when trouble came?
What are some things or who are some people you might depend on instead of God?
Why is it important to care about the hidden things of your heart?
What can you do when you realise your trust in God has wavered?
