“And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: “Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the Lord your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand. 8 Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand. 9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.” 10 Then Asa was angry with the seer, and put him in prison, for he was enraged at him because of this. And Asa oppressed some of the people at that time. 11 Note that the acts of Asa, first and last, are indeed written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 12 And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians. 13 So Asa rested with his fathers; he died in the forty-first year of his reign.” 2 Chronicles 16:7-13 NKJV
God of Judah and Israel,
King Asa started off so well and is generally thought of as being a good king as he is praised for his zeal in rooting out idolatry, repairing the altar of God, and restoring true worship in Judah. It is then a shame to read that when Baasha (king of Israel) came against him he ran to a pagan nation king Ben-Hadad for help.
Hanani delivered Your pronouncement, Lord God, to Asa. Even to a good man You need to speak truth. And Asa had lapsed in His faith in You. Suddenly he thought You maye no longer willing or able. Perhaps because he had grown older himself and weaker. And he was angry at his own failure and poor Hanani suffered as a consequence – in prison. The Chronicler makes sure we have all the details of the outcome. Asa gets a disease of the feet. Unable to walk upright? A witness to himself of hs damaged spiritual walk? He still is angry with You, God, it seems and only goes to the physicians. Not to You. So three years of suffering and he dies. Three years to swallow his pride. But no. We had three years of Jesus ministry to swallow our pride and seek Your face.
And healing? I do believe You still heal Lord. I trust I will always seek Your face first – then seek the doctors advice. Miraculous or medical – You are still the source of all healing. Keep us faithful and keep our feet on Your path.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 28th May 2026
From 1994. I am still asking and still receiving what a faithful, generous God.
Say the word, I will be healed;
You are the great Physician,
You meet every need.
Say the word, I will be free;
Where chains have held me captive,
Come sing Your songs to me,
Say the word.
Say the word, I will be filled;
My hands reach out to heaven,
Where striving is stilled.
Say the word, I will be changed;
Where I am dry and thirsty,
Send cool, refreshing rain,
Say the word.
His tears have fallen like rain on my life;
Each drop a fresh revelation.
I will return to the place of the cross,
Where grace and mercy
Pour from heaven’s throne.
Say the word, I will be poor,
That I might know the riches
That You have in store.
Say the word, I will be weak;
Your strength will be the power
That satisfies the meek.
Say the word.
The Lord will see the travail of His soul,
And He and I will be satisfied.
Complete the work You have started in me:
O, come Lord Jesus, shake my life again.
Say the word
Say the word.
Lyrics: Stuart Townend