First things first, always

2 Chronicles 16; Zechariah 1; John 4; Revelation 5

When faced with a seemingly insurmountable situations, many people turn to prayer as a last resort. Once they’ve tried everything else, they say, “I’ve tried everything, I guess all I can do now is pray.” Sadly, there are some who never think to ask God about anything.

Asa, king of Judah during the divided kingdom, started out well, but in his latter years, he resorted to asking the king of Syria to help him with opposition from the king of Israel. A seer or prophet came to him with this:

“Because you relied on the king of Syria, and did not rely on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you. Were not the Ethiopians and the Libyans a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the Lord, he gave them into your hand. 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 16:7–9)

Asa didn’t learn from his mistake. Three years later, his feet were severely diseased but “He did not seek the Lord but sought help from physicians” not that going to the doctor is a sin but failing to rely on the Lord is a serious problem.

In the past few weeks, our small group Bible study has focused on idolatry. As I read the Bible today, I’m hearing the Lord say that whatever I turn to when trials come, if it is not the Lord, it indicates what I am putting in His place. Asa did that with Syria and with physicians. Had he sought the Lord, he might have been told to get help from those two sources, but he didn’t ask God first.

In Revelation 5, John writes of seeing a scroll that was sealed and weeping because he could not find anyone worthy to open the seals. Finally, an elder told him, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Rood of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” Then John saw Jesus and the elders falling before him with bowls of prayers and with millions of angels declaring the worthy of the Lamb who was slain. They were able to do this because they recognized the worth of Jesus — “who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” and they fell down and worshiped.

APPLY: In this incredible scene, the worth of Jesus leads to worship and acknowledging that Jesus alone is the One. Why first rely on anyone or anything else? He is our source and goal, the first thought, the best thought. When troubles come or when blessings come, Jesus is our Refuge and strength, the One to first seek, the One to first thank and praise. He ought always to be my first thought.

Our family is in a crisis. I’ve no news yet this morning but am waiting to hear about Kyle, badly injured while enjoying a snowboard ride. He is twenty-two. His parents and family are devastated. I am devastated. We are praying for a miracle yet preparing to say goodbye. For all of us, Jesus is our first thought. I cannot write anymore.

LATER: No definite anything except Kyle’s parents are saying they will be reunited one day . . .