KING

and strong, and happy. Why?
Asa told the people—* Because we
have sought the Lord our God.”
Was there rest in Judah all the
years that Asa reioned? No: all
countries, and people, every where,
must have trouble sometimes; and
Asa had his troubles. Enemies
came to fight against him. They
were very, very many, and they
came with chariots and horses, and
made ready for battle. Was Asa
frightened? Perhaps he was at
first; but he knew where to find
help. Did he trust in his soldiers,
and his armor, and his strong cities ?
No, Asa knew that all these things
could not help him. There was
no power in them; but the good
king went to God, and asked for
His help. He prayed, and said,
“ Lord we trust in Thee to help us;
we have no power in ourselves, but
we know that Thou wilt hear us,
and fight our enemies for us, and
then we shall have the victory.
Thou art our God; in thy name we
go to fight against this army of our
enemies. ‘Then Asa and his people
felt safe and happy, because they
knew that God would hear and
answer their prayer. And so He
did. He smote their enemies, and
gave Asa and his people the victory.
God is ready to hear His people’s
prayers now. We all have many
troubles, and many enemies. Some-
times we have pain, and sorrow, and
sickness: always we have to fight
against sin, and against Satan. What
must we do when we are in trouble?
We must do as Asa did; we must go
to God for comfort, and help, and
strength. Often it is very hard to
fight against our enemies. Our own
wicked hearts, and sinful tempers,

and Satan’s temptations, give us |
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ASA. 205
trouble every day. But if we ask
God, He will hear us. He will fight
for us, as He fought for Asa. He
will conquer our evil passions, and
subdue our iniquities, and give us
the victory. Then we shall be
“more than conquerors,” not by our
own strength, and wisdom, and
goodness; but by Him who loves
us, and keeps us, and fights for us,
if we put our trust in Him alone.

God now gave peace to Judah for
many years. Hesenta prophet to Asa
to encourage him to go on, and serve
the Lord. This prophet brought a
message from God; he said, “If you
will still love and serve the Lord,
then He promises to be with you,
and to bless you in all you do; but
if you forsake Him He will forsake
you. Now, be strong, and put your
trust in God, and all shall be well
with you.” Asa and his people at-
tended to what the prophet said.
They met at Jerusalem, and there
they offered sacrifices, and made a
covenant with God. They promised
to seek him with all their hearts
and souls. That was a joyful day
in Jerusalem. The people shouted,
and sang praises to God, and prayed
to Him, and asked His help and
blessing. Did God hear them ?
Yes: God was pleased to hear. His
people’s prayers, and praises, and
promises. He sent His Holy Spirit
among them, and gave them His
blessing, and made them all happy
and peaceful around them.

Asa was growing an old man.
He had had many happy and peace-
ful years, but now trouble came
again. The king of Israel and his
army fought against him. Did Asa
remember the kindness of God in
past times? Did he goto him again
for safety? No, Asa forgot to do