RETURN TO THE LORD

PROCLAMATION

“And they entered into a covenant to seek The Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul.”  2 Chronicles 15:12 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  After Asa and Judah had defeated the Cushite army, and destroyed and looted all of the cities around Gerar, (2 Chronicles 14:8-15) The Spirit of The Lord God came upon Azariah the prophet and son of Obed.  Azariah went out to meet Asa and spoke to him and Judah.  He said, “The Lord is with you when you are with Him.  Seek Him and you will find Him.  If you forsake Him, He will forsake you.” (2 Chronicles 15:1-2)  For a long time Israel was without The True God and without a teaching priest.  But when they were in trouble they turned to The Lord God.  They sought Him, and they found Him. (2 Chronicles 15:3-4)  Azariah said, “Be strong and let not your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”  When Asa heard the words of Azariah, he gathered his courage and put away all of the abominable idol out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin.  He renewed the altar of The Lord. (2 Chronicles 15:7-8)  Asa gathered all of Judah and Benjamin together and they offered a sacrifice unto The Lord.  Then they entered into a covenant to seek The Lord, the God of their fathers, with all of their heart and soul.  They agreed that whosoever did not seek The Lord God of Israel should be put to death. (2 Chronicles 15:9-15)  Asa removed his grandmother from her position as queen mother because she had made an idol in the courtyard.  He cut down her idol and burnt it.  Although he did not remove all of the high places from Israel, Asa’s heart was fully committed to The Lord.  He brought back into the temple the gold and silver articles which he and his father had dedicated. (2 Chronicles 15:16-19)

 

APPLICATION

It does not matter how long we have been away from The Lord; if we ask to come back He will accept us back into His sheepfold.  Regardless of whatever we have done while we were away from Him, if we want to come back He will accept us with open arms as the father did with the prodigal son. (Luke15:17-24)  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)  We can return to The Lord.