“And Abijah rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. Asa his son succeeded him as king, and in his days the country was at peace for ten years.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 ancestors, and to obey his laws and commands. 5 He removed the high places and incense altars in every town in Judah, and the kingdom was at peace under him. 6 He built up the fortified cities of Judah, since the land was at peace. No one was at war with him during those years, for the Lord gave him rest. 7 “Let us build up these towns,” he said to Judah, “and put walls around them, with towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours, because we have sought the Lord our God; we sought him and he has given us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered.” 1 Kings 14:1-6 NIV
Lord God Almighty,
Meanwhile in Judah, Asa came to the throne and he did good. He did right in the eyes of the Lord. He removed offensive alters to other gods. Smashed alters dedicated to anything other that You and cut down poles dedicated to Asherah. He commanded the Kingdom of Judah to worship You and to obey Your laws and commands. Imagine any nation that agreed to keep Your law and ten commandments and love their neighbours. That would be a place to feel safe! Maybe there will always be those who follow darkness but where the majority follow the light there is hope and health and harmony. So during Asa’s reign there was peace for 10 years.
Sometimes it is good to acknowledge who You are, what You do and how gracious You are towards us. And in doing so acknowledge that Your way is the best. You are Lord, God Almighty, Yes but You are also our Saviour, our guide, our life, our peace. We need like Asa to work at it. He stopped the things that were offensive to You and started the good practices that would teach and keep his people good. Then You God kept him and his nation safe from its enemies. Keep our nation following You, raise up Christian men and women and keep us faithful.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 19th June 2025
The dark tried to hide You and steal You away
Death tried to keep You inside of the grave
The enemy fought You, he tried but he lost
You cannot be stopped
When we cried for freedom, You tore down the walls
The weight of our burdens, You carried it all
Our fears and our failures hang dead on the cross
You cannot be stopped
Mover of mountains, breaker of chains
Jesus has triumphed over the grave
Sing hallelujah, the battle is won
Nothing can stand against our God
We stand on Your victory, and we shout out Your praise
Miracle maker, You’re mighty to save
Awesome in power, relentless in love
Oh, You cannot be stopped
Mover of mountains, breaker of chains
Jesus has triumphed over the grave
Sing hallelujah, the battle is won
Nothing can stand against our God
There’s nothing that can stop our God
There’s nothing that can stop our God
There’s nothing that can stop our God
There is nothing, there is nothing
There’s nothing that can stop our God
There’s nothing that can stop our God
There’s nothing that can stop our God
There is nothing,
Chorus Twice
Lyrics: Chris Quilala, Phil Wickham.