Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Exodus 20:3
Asa king of Judah received a warning from a prophet saying that as long as Asa walked with God, God would be with him, but that if he forsook God, that God would forsake him.
This warning is significant because God had abandoned Asa and his kingdom, because of their idolatry. The Holy Bible says that they had been without God, and without law for a long time. Imagine a kingdom full of discord, and chaos. The Holy Bible says that there was no peace, and even tells us that there was war upon war. The Holy Bible says that God did vex them with adversity.
2 Chronicles 15:3-7
3. Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law. 4. But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them. 5. And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries. 6. And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity. 7. Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.
After Asa heard the warning of the prophet, he removed the idols, and renewed the altar of the Lord, and they made sacrifice to God. People from the surrounding areas came to be with Asa and to live within his kingdom, when the people found that the presence of God was with Asa. The people were ready for change. The people wanted God in their lives. as and the people gathered to worship God, and they made sacrifice to God. The scripture says they sacrificed from the spoil that they had brought. Remember that there were battles of nation against nation, and remember also that all through out the Holy Bible that whenever people went into battle with God, they were victorious.
Because of the war, and hardship that Asa and the people had previously suffered, they wanted to be certain that God never turned against them again, which lead to a great crusade where idols were broken, and altars to idols torn down. The people were so determined to rid the kingdom of evil, and to keep relationship with God, that they made a covenant with God that they would kill all men, women, and children that practiced idolatry.
2 Chronicles 15:12-15
12. And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; 13. That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman. 14. And they sware unto the LORD with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets. 15. And all Judah rejoiced at the oath; for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them; and the LORD gave them rest round about.
Idolatry is the worship of any form of existence that is not God the creator. God feels that if you pray to anything that is not God, that you are practicing idolatry. God feels that if you practice sorcery that you are practicing idolatry. And some would be surprised to know, that God considers all evocation of spirit, such as practiced by sorcerers, witches, warlocks, and wizards, to be prayers to those spirits, and therefore is considered by God to be idolatry. Revelations 21:8 says that sorcerers and idolaters will go to the lake of fire that many of us refer to as hell.
Revelations 21:8
but the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all lairs, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Asa reigned as king for thirty-five years. After the first fifteen years, and after much hardship and adversity, Asa turned to God, and lead his kingdom to God also. God forgave Asa and the people and was then with them. The Holy Bible says that they then had twenty years of peace.
Another point to make here is that all through out the Holy Bible, God punished entire kingdoms for the sins of their leaders. This is the reason leaders need to be righteous people. This is also the reason that the Holy Bible tells us to pray for our leaders.
It would be so wonderful if all countries and nations were prosperous, and lived in peace. I truly believe that countries and nations that are currently experiencing war, famine, and poverty would be prosperous and full of peace, if all repented and worshiped God.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
In the name of Christ Jesus, I pray for all leaders of all cities, villages, townships, counties, countries, and nations that they be lead to live and act in righteousness and in the best interest of the people that they represent. I pray that all people of all countries and nations, including their leaders, repent of all sorcery and idolatry, in order that we may have God with us and have peace though out the land. Amen.
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