Lessons Learned from John Piper:
John Piper’s sermon “Asa’s Folly” explores the spiritual lessons from the life of King Asa as found in 2 Chronicles 16. Early in his reign, Asa was faithful to God, leading to a period of peace and prosperity for Judah. When confronted by a large Ethiopian army, Asa relied on God, resulting in a miraculous victory (2 Chronicles 14:9-15). This reliance brought great blessings and demonstrated the importance of trusting God.
However, in the 36th year of Asa’s reign, Baasha, King of Israel, threatened Judah by building the fortified city of Ramah. Instead of seeking divine assistance, Asa sought help from Benhadad, King of Syria, using temple treasures as a bribe. This strategy succeeded in the short term as Benhadad attacked Israel, forcing Baasha to abandon his plans. Yet, the prophet Hanani rebuked Asa for not relying on God, stating that God would have delivered him from both Israel and Syria had he trusted Him (2 Chronicles 16:7-9). Hanani warned Asa that his actions would lead to ongoing conflicts, indicating the consequences of relying on human means over divine intervention.
Tragically, Asa did not learn from this mistake. Later, when afflicted with a severe disease in his feet, Asa again sought human help from physicians instead of seeking God’s aid (2 Chronicles 16:12). This reliance on human resources over divine support marked a shift in Asa’s life from faith to secularism, showing how even a faithful start can be marred by later actions if one abandons trust in God.
Piper uses Asa’s story to highlight the broader spiritual lesson that true security and blessing come from consistent reliance on God. When Asa trusted in God, he experienced divine protection and success. However, his turn to human solutions in times of crisis led to missed blessings and increased hardships. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder for believers to trust in God wholly, emphasizing that God’s provision and guidance are paramount in all circumstances.
For more insights, you can read the full sermon by John Piper on Desiring God here.
References:
- “Asa’s Folly” by John Piper, Desiring God
- Messages on 2 Chronicles 16 | Desiring God
- Resources on 2 Chronicles 16 | Desiring God