“Then Asa called together all the people of Judah and Benjamin, along with the people of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had settled among them. For many from Israel had moved to Judah during Asa’s reign when they saw that the Lord his God was with him.” 2 Chronicles 15:9 NLT
Whether it’s friendship, companionship, money, luxury items, or a hobby, we are all looking to fill a void of some sort in our lives. This verse indicates that the people living in Israel were no different – they recognized a void in their own lives in comparison to the people of Judah during Asa’s reign – and they moved to Judah.
The other important truth is that the people from Israel were drawn to the Lord by the way Asa and the people from Judah were living. This caused me to wonder if I am drawing people to the Lord in the way that I am living my life? Is my life a positive reflection of who God is? Do people see something different about me?
Good questions to ask, and perhaps a good time to re-evaluate ourselves to discover what we fill the voids in our lives with.
Lock Your Wings 
These verses stood out to me:
“and he went out to meet King Asa as he was returning from the battle. “Listen to me, Asa!” he shouted. “Listen, all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you.”
2 Chronicles 15:2 NLT
Still true today. I keep thinking it would be cool to actually hear this message from a prophet but I do here it…from sermon messages, in podcasts, reading my Bible, and in small group lessons. I hear it, now just need to obey.
““During those dark times, it was not safe to travel. Problems troubled the people of every land. Nation fought against nation, and city against city, for God was troubling them with every kind of problem.”
2 Chronicles 15:5-6 NLT
Feels like this could be written today! It’s not safe to travel. Problems troubled the people of every land-yup! Health struggles, Economic struggles, anxiety struggles, etc. This pandemic has effected the whole world. Nation against nation (borders closed), city against city (blame and accusations about not doing enough to stop the spread, masks vs no masks, conspiracy theories, social and physical distancing causing mental health issues and isolation) but God knew it was going to be like this. What will He accomplish from this experience and how will these struggles grow our faith and make it stronger?
“They agreed that anyone who refused to seek the Lord, the God of Israel, would be put to death—whether young or old, man or woman.”
2 Chronicles 15:13 NLT
This is interesting. You can make anyone a Christ follower. It is up to each person to reach their Own personal decision. We can’t make our friends or our children follow God.
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Good thoughts.
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