King Asa's Secret to Success

     Do you want to know a little secret? Actually, it's not a secret at all. Do you know how King Asa was able to win a battle in which he was clearly outnumbered, by over a million to 580,000?

     Was it because he was some great master of battle tactics, a Sun Tzu before there was a Sun Tzu? No.

     Was it because he had lured the Ethiopians into a trap where they would be caught in mud pits and be unable to defend themselves? No.

     Was it because he had developed or discovered some new weapon like Greek fire that more than evened the odds against him? No.

     Was it because he had secretly captured the Ethiopians' king or queen or some other high ranking official that the Ethiopians would be willing to trade for rather than risk their death? No.

     So what was it? What was Asa's secret? Look in your Bible at 2 Chronicles 14:11 and you will find Asa's secret. "Then Asa called to the Lord his God, and said, "Lord, there is no one besides Thee to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in Thee, and in Thy name have come against this multitude. O Lord, Thou art our God; let not man prevail against Thee."(NASB)

     What an awesome prayer. Asa knew that it was not up to him or the men he commanded to determine the outcome of the conflict, but God! Asa acknowledged in this prayer that they didn't have the strength themselves to accomplish the goal. But what He said that was positive is absolutely amazing. His words, "So help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in Thee, and in Thy name have come against this multitude. O Lord, Thou art our God; let not man prevail against Thee."

     What an amazing statement! This man was king of millions, but he didn't trust in himself. He trusted in God. He said that he was going into this conflict in God's name. And he was trusting that God was powerful enough to prevent any man, no matter how great, how important, how mighty, or how many to overcome the Lord.

     What if we adopted the same attitude as Asa? What if we prayed a similar prayer? What if when we woke up in the morning, we said, "Lord, there isn't anyone but you to help us in the battles we will face today. Please help us, because we know we are weak, but You are strong. O Lord God, You are our Lord, and nothing can stand against Thee. Help me to face this day, knowing that You are on my side, and that you will let no evil prevail against You."

     How different do you think you would face your days? How different do you think the outcomes of the struggles you face tomorrow will be if you pray this prayer when you get up, and remember that God is standing beside you, fighting for you? What an awe-inspiring and humbling concept. God, THE GOD of all Glory, The Maker, The Redeemer, The Most Holy of Holy who loved you enough to want to spend eternity with you is right there beside you ready to fight for you simply because you asked Him to? Wow.

I know I plan to start my day with this prayer when I rise in the morning. How about you? Will you pray the prayer of Asa, and let God be the mighty warrior on your side as you face the day?