2 Chronicles 14
Scripture:
2 Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God.
3 He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles.
4 He commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to obey his laws and commands.
Observation:
“Remember the Titans” is still one of my favorite movies. This movie is packed with powerful scenes of leadership, conflict, and triumph. If you haven’t seen the film, it takes place in Virginia during the early 1970’s when the local high school has been racially integrated. The story is about a football team and a community wrestling with and eventually overcoming the tension of the time. One of my favorite lines of the movie comes when two highly respected players come to an impasse on the practice field. At this moment in the movie, one player says to the other concerning the attitude of the players, “Attitude reflects leadership, captain!” This statement rings true for us today. Leaders influence the response and action of those around them. I remember on this day in 2001 when the attitude of our leader, President George Bush, spoke to the resolve of America and united our nation. The attitude and action of leaders make a difference.
In this passage Asa challenged Judah to “Seek the Lord.” Here is what the Fire Bible says about that statement, “To ‘seek the Lord’ means to desperately desire and persistently pursue a deeper relationship with God and a greater commitment to his purposes. It requires pulling away from evil influences and committing to personal purity and holiness.” Whether you find yourself as a leader in the church, at work, in the community, or at home, when we “seek the Lord” we influence those around us to do the same. This chapter, once again, illustrates that the blessings of God follow a heart that is fully devoted to Him.
Application:
- Personal Application: As a leader, as you fully devote your life to Jesus you allow and encourage those around you to do the same. God’s blessings are released when we have a heart that is fully devoted to Him.
- Family Devotional: Read this chapter to your family. Ask them what action inspired the Lord to come to the rescue of Judah. Discuss how you can learn from Asa and Judah in this chapter and apply this action to your life today. Pray for your family.
Prayer:
- Personal Prayer Focus: Ask God for the clarity to see every obstacle and hindrance as an opportunity for Him to show up in our lives. Thank God for all the times he has rescued you in the past.
- Family Prayer Focus: Pray that your family will stay devoted to God and that they will experience God’s presence every day of their life.
Three Year Reading Plan for Sunday, September 6 – Sunday, September 13:
- Sunday, September 6: 2 Chronicles 9
- Monday, September 7: 2 Chronicles 10
- Tuesday, September 8: 2 Chronicles 11
- Wednesday, September 9: 2 Chronicles 12
- Thursday, September 10: 2 Chronicles 13
- Friday, September 11: 2 Chronicles 14
- Saturday, September 12: 2 Chronicles 15
- Sunday, September 13: 2 Chronicles 16
—TOM GROOT is National Director of Men’s Ministry and Christian Education. Connect with Tom on Facebook or Twitter @TomGrootJr.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise marked, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblicia, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
Fire Bible® elements including all Articles, the Bible Reading Plan, selected black and white maps and charts as noted, Book Introductions and outlines, color maps and the Color Map Index, footnotes, Study Notes, Subject Index, Themefinder™Index are the property of Life Publishers International, Springfield, MO U.S.A. All rights reserved.