Rewarded Worship

December 20, 2011

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 15:7

Be strong, therefore, and let not your hands be weak and slack, for your work shall be rewarded.

Observation

Asa’s history with the Lord caused this prophecy to be appropriate for him. In response, Asa aggressively continued his devotion to the Lord (verses 8-13):

“And when Asa heard these words … he (1) took courage and (2) put away the abominable idols from all the land … and he (3) repaired the altar [of burnt offering] of the … (4) and he gathered all Judah and Benjamin and the strangers with them out of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon … (5) and they sacrificed to the Lord on that day from the spoil which they had brought … (6) and they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, and to yearn for Him with all their heart's desire and with all their soul … (7) and that whoever would not seek the Lord, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman.” 

Application (Personal)

God’s Word is provided for my encouragement, too. My application of His Word is not the same as was appropriate (I suppose) for Asa, but it does point to appropriate resonses and corresponding spiritual zeal:

1.     Take courage, because God rewards good works.

2.     Put away anything that reduces or distracts from my love of the Lord.

3.     Repair what is culturally or personally damaged or neglected in my worship of Jesus.

4.     Gather with people who are also willing to worship the Lord.

5.     Return thanks to the Lord for his favor and goodness to us.

6.     Renew our corporate covenant with the Lord.

7.     Separate my heart from anyone or anything that opposes the Lord.

Prayer (from 2 Chronicles 16:9)

Lord, your eyes run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show yourself strong on behalf of them whose heart is perfect [shalem—8003, full, complete, whole, uninjured, peaceful, friendly, cherished] toward you. You look and you keep looking for such worshipful relationship, only to be continually disappointed and hurt by our foolish half-heartedness toward you. Please inspect my life and my heart today. May the words of my mouth, the meditations of my heart, and my responses to your grace be a source of delight and pleasure to you. Amen.