Pastor's Note - September 23 
The history of Israel’s and Judah’s kings is mixed, to state it generously. Most were wicked, but there were some righteous kings mixed in. Some individual kings are portrayed as both wicked and righteous. Asa is one such king. Largely, he is seen as a righteous king, who made wonderful reforms in Judah’s worship. However, he didn’t end well. He treated some of his people cruelly, and compromised toward the end of his life. Particularly, at key moments he failed to trust God, and looked to lesser “saviors.” In a war with the northern country of Israel, instead of looking to God for help, he sought an alliance with Syria. This is a classic blunder of God’s people, repeated and condemned throughout the Old Testament. God repeatedly calls his people to look to him for salvation and help, and not put all their faith in human means. This is emphasized at the end of Asa’s life, in 2 Chronicles 16:12, which says; “In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet, and his disease became severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but sought help from physicians.” What an interesting comment from God’s Word! The point is clear. Physical maladies and hardships are an opportunity to seek God. Not that diseases are necessarily God’s punishment, but every physical hardship is a call to seek the Lord and call upon Him. Every disease and illness is a reminder from God that we are weak and need Him. Beyond that, it is foolish to seek the help of physicians instead of the Lord. Not that we shouldn’t seek the help of doctors, or the help of medicine! Nor do we hold to a faith-healing theology that says that all who trust in God will be healed in this life. That is not the point at all. The point is that it is actually sinful and foolish to trust in the help of men, without first seeking the help of our true Savior, He who created and made us. Our ultimate trust must always rest in the Lord. Seems to me to be a helpful reminder in our time. Certainly take precautions, seek medical interventions, pursue the help of physicians – these are all gifts of a sovereign and loving God! But as we do so, don’t ever forget to put your ultimate and complete trust in our true and great Physician.