II Chronicles 16:7–12
King Asa didn’t start out bad. He saw some real victories early on. God helped him beat an army with a million men. A million. But years later, instead of trusting God again, he made a deal with another king. That deal looked smart on paper, but it was a disaster spiritually. God had already won that battle for him in the past. Asa just didn’t trust Him to do it again.
That’s how you lose battles God already won.
1. Forgetting Past Victories (II Chronicles 16:8)
Asa had already seen what God could do. Back in chapter 14, a much bigger enemy came after him, and Asa cried out to God. God gave him the victory. No treaty, no army, just faith. But now in chapter 16, Asa forgot. He looked to man for help instead of the Lord.
We do the same thing. God delivers us from sin, saves our families, answers our prayers, and then we act like we’ve got to figure it out on our own the next time. We forget the track record. Forget the answered prayers. Forget what He already proved.
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8
2. Ignoring the Help God Was Ready to Give (II Chronicles 16:9)
While Asa was cooking up alliances, God was looking for someone to help. The eyes of the Lord run to and fro, just waiting to show Himself strong for those who trust Him. Asa missed it. God wasn’t unwilling to help. Asa just didn’t ask.
The truth is, God wants to help. But He’s not going to force it on you. If you want to rely on your own smarts, your own resources, your own people, He’ll let you. But you’ll miss what He would’ve done. God wasn’t mad that Asa had a plan. He was grieved that Asa didn’t pray.
“Ye have not, because ye ask not.” James 4:2
3. Living in War When You Could Have Peace (II Chronicles 16:9, 12)
The Bible says from that moment forward, Asa had wars. He wasn’t at war before. He didn’t need to be in war now. But when you lean on man, you get the mess that comes with man. Even when Asa got sick later on, he still didn’t seek the Lord. Only the doctors. That’s not saying don’t go to doctors, it’s saying don’t skip over God.
The rest of his life was unrest. It didn’t have to be. But that’s what happens when you leave God out. You lose peace. You lose strength. You lose battles that were already won, if you would’ve just let Him fight them again.
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
You don’t have to lose like Asa did. You’ve already seen what God can do. Don’t forget it. He’s still looking to help. Don’t ignore Him. You don’t need to live in war when peace is available. Don’t leave Him out.
Let God win the battles He already won.
