June 15 – Reading 166

june 15 – Reading 166

by Rev James M. Armpriester, Jr | June 15

“FINISH WHAT YOU STARTED!”
(1 Kings 15:1-8; 2 Chronicles 13:1–14; 1 Kings 15:9-24; 2 Chronicles 14:2–16:14)

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.” — 2 Chronicles 16:9 (ESV)

King Asa’s reign began with a refreshing wave of reform and reliance on the Lord. He tore down foreign altars, commanded Judah to seek the Lord, and even removed his grandmother from being queen mother due to her idolatry. Asa’s faith wasn’t merely spoken—it was lived out boldly in a culture where compromise had become the norm. God responded with peace and victory. When the Cushite army vastly outnumbered Judah, Asa prayed, “Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you” (2 Chronicles 14:11). And God delivered.

But as Asa aged and his reign progressed, something tragic happened. His dependence shifted. Instead of seeking the Lord during a conflict with Israel, Asa turned to an alliance with the king of Syria. It worked politically, but it displeased God. The prophet Hanani confronted him with a warning: You have trusted man instead of God. Asa’s response was shocking. Rather than repent, he became angry, oppressed people, and even imprisoned the prophet.

This trajectory reminds us of a sobering truth: it’s possible to start well and end poorly. Asa’s early years were marked by faith and reform; his latter years, by pride and resistance. What changed? He forgot the very source of his strength—the Lord.

We see this same pattern in people today. Consider Demas, a co-laborer with Paul. Once mentioned alongside Luke, he later “loved this present world” and abandoned the faith (2 Timothy 4:10). Pride, position, or power can easily become the substitute for dependence on God.

New Testament Connection:
Jesus reminds us in John 15:5, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” Paul echoes this dependence in Galatians 3:3, asking, “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” The Galatians had started with a vibrant, Spirit-led faith but were now trying to grow and mature through human effort and religious works. Paul’s rebuke is pointed: you cannot finish in the flesh what was birthed by the Spirit. The Christian life must remain rooted in surrender, not striving. Just like Asa, we risk forfeiting God’s strength when we rely on worldly alliances, plans that exclude God’s provision, or lean on our wisdom over the Spirit’s leading.

Application Points:

1. Beware of Pride in Progress – Past victories can deceive us into thinking we no longer need God. Reflect on areas where you may be relying on your strength instead of relying on God.

2. Stay Teachable – Asa rejected correction and silenced the voice of truth. Who are the people in your life who can still challenge and sharpen you?

3. Finish Well – It’s not enough to start in faith; we must endure to the end. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you stay faithful in every season.

Reflection Questions:

• Where have I been tempted to take control instead of trusting God?
• Do I still respond to correction with humility and openness?
• Am I as passionate about depending on God now as I was when I first believed?

Closing Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the lessons from King Asa’s life. Teach me to start and finish strong in You. Guard my heart against pride and self-reliance. Keep me humble, dependent, and teachable. May I never outgrow my need for You. Help me to be one whose heart is fully committed to You all the days of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.