2 Chron. 14 Rest, Trust and Dependence
The reign of Asa, Abijah’s son, had a span of ten years of peace; most likely after having defeated the Ethiopians, who were likely joined by the Libyans as well. Removing the altars of foreign gods, their high places and the destruction of wooden idols; provided an opportunity or window to worship the Lord. He also constructed fortified
cities as a defense against any attack from outside nations.
As his father had faced great odds against Jeroboam, Asa faced great odds against the Ethiopians, nearly three times the size of Judah’s warriors. Asa made a declaration of faith “Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude.” Asa understood this battle was more than an attempt to expand the territory of the foreigners; it was a natural encounter representative of spiritual forces of light and darkness. He knew this was the Lord’s battle, more than it was Judah’s.
Note, Asa declares the number of warriors wasn’t and isn’t important; He can do great things with small numbers. He affirmed his dependence on the Lord demonstrated by his crying out to the Lord and realizing that against this great multitude, they couldn’t win in the natural.
Asa was able to “rest on” the Lord. What do we rest on when confronted with a great challenge? Are we concerned we don’t have enough warriors to battle? Are we dependent on the Lord?
When we rest in the Lord, trust Him to use what we have and are totally dependent on Him for the battle; we’ll be victorious as Asa was.