Bible Lesson: Answered Prayer: King Asa Prays For Deliverance.

Bible Lesson: Answered Prayer: King Asa Prays For Deliverance.

Subject Of Prayer: Asa Prayed For Deliverance From The Ethiopians.

Bible Text:

II Chronicles 14:1-15 NLT

1 When Abijah died, he was buried in the City of David. Then his son Asa became the next king. There was peace in the land for ten years.

2 Asa did what was pleasing and good in the sight of The Lord his God.

3 He removed the foreign altars and the pagan shrines. He smashed the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah poles.

4 He commanded the people of Judah to seek The Lord, the God of their ancestors, and to obey His law and His commands.

5 Asa also removed the pagan shrines, as well as the incense altars from every one of Judah’s towns. So Asa’s kingdom enjoyed a period of peace.

6 During those peaceful years, he was able to build up the fortified towns throughout Judah. No one tried to make war against him at this time, for The Lord was giving him rest from his enemies.

7 Asa told the people of Judah, “Let us build towns and fortify them with walls, towers, gates, and bars. The land is still ours because we sought The Lord our God, and He has given us peace on every side.” So they went ahead with these projects and brought them to completion.

8 King Asa had an army of 300,000 warriors from the tribe of Judah, armed with large shields and spears. He also had an army of 280,000 warriors from the tribe of Benjamin, armed with small shields and bows. Both armies were composed of well-trained fighting men.

9 Once an Ethiopian named Zerah attacked Judah with an army of 1,000,000 men and 300 chariots. They advanced to the town of Mareshah,

10 so Asa deployed his armies for battle in the valley north of Mareshah.

11 Then Asa cried out to The Lord his God, “O Lord, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde. O Lord, you are our God; do not let mere men prevail against you!”

12 So The Lord defeated the Ethiopians in the presence of Asa and the army of Judah, and the enemy fled.

13 Asa and his army pursued them as far as Gerar, and so many Ethiopians fell that they were unable to rally. They were destroyed by The Lord and His army, and the army of Judah carried off a vast amount of plunder.

14 While they were at Gerar, they attacked all the towns in that area, and terror from The Lord came upon the people there. As a result, a vast amount of plunder was taken from these towns, too.

15 They also attacked the camps of herdsmen and captured many sheep, goats, and camels before finally returning to Jerusalem.

What the king did, to see that his people were blessed of God:

“Asa did what was pleasing and good in the sight of The Lord his God.”

      1) “He removed the foreign altars and the pagan shrines. He smashed the sacred pillars and
           cut down the Asherah poles.” vs 3

2. “He commanded the people of Judah to seek The Lord, the God of their ancestors, and
   to obey His law and His commands. Vs 4

3. “ Asa also removed the pagan shrines, as well as the incense altars from every one of Judah’s towns. So Asa’s kingdom enjoyed a period of peace. Vs 5
   
   
4. “During those peaceful years, he was able to build up the fortified towns throughout Judah. No one tried to make war against him at this time, for The Lord was giving him rest from his enemies. Vs 6
   
   
5. “Asa told the people of Judah, “Let us build towns and fortify them with walls, towers, gates, and bars. The land is still ours because we sought The Lord our God, and He has given us peace on every side.” So they went ahead with these projects and brought them to completion. Vs 7

What an example to leaders on any nation! Lasting peace comes from serving “The Prince Of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6 KJV (Seven appelations of Jesus Christ.)

For unto us A Child is born, unto us A Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father,

The Prince Of Peace.

II Chronicles 14:8 NLT

King Asa had an army of 300,000 warriors from the tribe of Judah, armed with large shields and spears. He also had an army of 280,000 warriors from the tribe of Benjamin, armed with small shields and bows. Both armies were composed of well-trained fighting men.

King Asa was not without his armies, for Judah had 300,000 fighting men, and Benjamin some 280,000 men.

A Godly leader, King Asa knew only too well, that the people of God, should never let their guard down! A lesson to the people of God today, both nationally and spiritually.

II Chronicles 14:9,10 NLT

9 Once an Ethiopian named Zerah attacked Judah with an army of 1,000,000 men and 300 chariots. They advanced to the town of Mareshah,

10 so Asa deployed his armies for battle in the valley north of Mareshah.

Located in the lowlands of Judah, Mareshah was a fortified town.

Zerah a strong Ethiopian King, had made conquests in South West Egypt, and was hungry for more battle. Asa's army totaled some 580,000 and was overshadowed by Zerah's 1,300,000 well trained soldiers.

Question: What would Asa do? Answer: King Asa would call out to The Living God, for His help!

II Chronicles 14:11 NLT

Then Asa cried out to The Lord his God, “O Lord, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde. O Lord, you are our God; do not let mere men prevail against you!”

Asa, placed his trust in God.

Psalm 5:11 KJV

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Did The Lord, hear King Asa's prayer? Yes, and He defended His people!

II Chronhicles 14:12-15 NLT

12 So The Lord defeated the Ethiopians in the presence of Asa and the army of Judah, and the enemy fled.

13 Asa and his army pursued them as far as Gerar, and so many Ethiopians fell that they were unable to rally. They were destroyed by The Lord and His army, and the army of Judah carried off a vast amount of plunder.

14 While they were at Gerar, they attacked all the towns in that area, and terror from The Lord came upon the people there. As a result, a vast amount of plunder was taken from these towns, too.

15 They also attacked the camps of herdsmen and captured many sheep, goats, and camels before finally returning to Jerusalem.

Psalm 9:10 KJV

And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Praise The Lord!

But will The Lord hear your prayer, and answer you?

He will, if you are His child, faithfully living for Him!

Matthew 7:21 KJV

Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.

Before another hour passes by, surrender you heart and life to The Lord, ask Him to save you, and give you strength to live for Him, and He will.

Salvation Prayer

The Living Go Who Hears And Answers Prayer:

Joshua 10:14 KJV

And there was no day like that before it or after it, that The Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for The Lord fought for Israel.

Nehemiah 9:27 KJV

in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest them

I Chronicles 16:11 KJV

Seek The Lord and His strength, seek His face continually.

Nehemiah 9:27 KJV

in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest them

Job 22:27 KJV

Thou shalt make thy prayer unto Him, and He shall hear thee..."

Psalm 6:9 KJV

The Lord hath heard my supplication; The Lord will receive my prayer.

Psalm 55:17 KJV

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice.

Psalm 65:2 KJV

O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

Psalm 66:19 KJV

But verily God hath heard me; He hath attended to the voice of my prayer.

Psalm 88:1,2 KJV

1 O lord God of my Salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:

2 Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;

Psalm 91:15 KJV

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.

Psalm 99:6,8 KJV

6 "...they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.

8 Thou answeredst them, O Lord our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them..."

Psalm 102:17 KJV

He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.

Psalm 122:6 KJV

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

Proverbs 15:8,29 KJV

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to The Lord: but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

29 The Lord is far from the wicked: but He heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Isaiah 38:5 KJV

“...I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears...”

Isaiah 56:7 KJV

"... for Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

Isaiah 58:9 KJV

Then shalt thou call, and The Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am...:"

Isaiah 65;24 KJV

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Jeremiah 29:13 KJV

And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 33:3 KJV

Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Zechariah 13:9 KJV

And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on My name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.

Joel 2:32 KJV

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of The Lord shall be delivered..."

Matthew 5:44 KJV

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Matthew 6:6 KJV

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 7:7,8 KJV

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Matthew 18:19,20 KJV

19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven.

20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.

Matthew 21:22 KJV

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Matthew 26:41 KJV

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Mark 11:24,25 KJV

24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Luke 11:9,10 KJV

9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Luke 18:1,7,8 KJV

1 And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

7 "...don’t you think God will surely give justice to His chosen people who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off?

8 I tell you, He will grant justice to them quickly! But when The Son Of Man returns, how many will He find on the earth who have faith?”

Luke 21:36 KJV

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before The Son Of Man.

John 14:13,14 KJV

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that The Father may be glorified in The Son.

14 If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it.

John 15:7,16 KJV

7 If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

16 Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of The Father in My name, He may give it you.

John 16:23,24 KJV

23 And in that day ye shall ask Me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask

The Father in My name, he will give it you.

24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Romans 10:12 KJV

For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.

Ephesians 2:18 KJV

For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto The Father.

Ephesians 6:18 KJV

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in The Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Philippians 4:6 NLT

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.

Colossians 4:2 NLT

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

I Thessalonians 5:17 KJV

Pray without ceasing.

I Timothy 2:8 KJV

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Hebrews 4:16 KJV

Let us therefore come boldly unto The Throne Of Grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 10:19 KJV

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by The Blood Of Jesus,

James 1:6 KJV

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

James 4:8 KJV

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you

James 5:13-16 KJV

13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of The Lord:

15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and The Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

I Peter 4:7 KJV

But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

I John 3:22 KJV

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

I John 5:14,15 KJV

14 And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us:

15 And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.

Revelation 8:3-5 NLT (Prayers heard and kept)

3 Then another angel with a gold incense burner came and stood at the altar. And a great amount of incense was given to him to mix with the prayers of God’s people as an offering on the gold altar before the throne.

4 The smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of God’s holy people, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out.

5 Then the angel filled the incense burner with fire from the altar..."