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Hello my “Walking with Jesus” friends on this Thursday,
Have you heard this comment: “Wisdom comes with Age”? There is much truth there, for wisdom does come with knowledge gained over time, and experiences at various life stages. In the 2020 American presidential election we have two men in their mid 70’s. That’s older than any previous president elected! Have you ever wondered about age and the Presidency of the USA? Here’s a list of the 10 oldest at the time of their election:
- Donald J. Trump (70 years, 7 months, 7 days)
- Ronald Reagan (69 years, 11 months, 14 days)
- William H. Harrison (68 years, 0 months, 23 days)
- James Buchanan (65 years, 10 months, 9 days)
- George H. W. Bush (64 years, 7 months, 8 days)
- Zachary Taylor (64 years, 3 months, 8 days)
- Dwight D. Eisenhower (62 years, 3 months, 6 days)
- Andrew Jackson (61 years, 11 months, 17 days)
- John Adams (61 years, 4 months, 4 days)
- Gerald R. Ford (61 years, 0 months, 26 days)
In the past few days we’ve been looking into the Biblical history of Israel’s kings to learn important lessons which can guide us in these hugely significant leadership decisions.
Yesterday we saw the leadership turnstyle of 6 violent changes of government in Israel while there was stability, peace and prosperity in Judah during that same time! King Asa reigned in Jerusalem a total of 41 years! Think of that! Sadly, in his final years things crumbled, as the wisdom gained over his lifetime failed in his old age.
2 Chronicles 16 has the brief but very significant description of two very bad leadership decisions in Asa’s older years, which led to his death and the undoing of 36 great years in Jerusalem! The first bad decision was a foreign policy / defense spending decision. The second was a health care decision! Look closely my friends, there are leadership lessons to be learned here.
National security is a priority for every nation, every society in the world. God had promised to protect His people if they worshiped Him and their leaders sought and followed His guidance of them. Remember God is Omniscient, He knows everything about everything. That is far better than any type of international spy agency or information hub. Asa had learned that lesson once in 2 Chronicles 14:8-13 and God’s promise to king Asa through one of his advisors Azariah: “The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you…Be strong, do not give up, and your work will be rewarded.” (2 Chron. 15:1-7) For 35 years Asa relied on that promise, and peace and prosperity reigned in Judah. It was a wonderful time to be alive in Jerusalem.
But in his 36 year of reign, Asa began to think differently. His confidence in God declined and his anxiety about the vulnerability of his nation increased. We don’t know why, but rather than depending upon God’s power and guidance for their national security, Asa led his government in forming a military alliance with what is today Syria! The price was silver and gold taken from both the LORD’s temple and the king’s palace in Jerusalem! (2 Chron. 16:2) As God watched this turn of events God sent a warning to king Asa. “At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah…’Because you relied on the king of Aram [Syria] and not on the LORD your God…from now on you will be at war.” (2 Chron. 16:7-9) 36 years of peace crumbled and Asa’s fear of war became reality.
In the middle of Hanani’s message to king Asa is one of the most powerful promises in the entire Bible, which you’ve heard me quote often. “The eyes of the LORD roam to and fro throughout the whole earth looking to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to God.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)
Please ponder that for a moment, and consider what it means for you my friend! What is God wanting to accomplish in your part of the world right now, and as He searches for people who He might involve in accomplishing His purpose, what does God see as He looks at your heart?
The second serious leadership failure of his older years that king Asa made was a healthcare issue! He became ill, with a disease that did not appear life threatening at first. It is described as a foot problem. “In the 39th year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease became severe, even in his illness Asa did not seek help from the LORD but only from the physicians. Then in the 41st years of his reign Asa died…” (2 Chron. 16:12) What could it have been? Leprosy or an infection that turned to gangrene? All we know is that in Asa’s pride he refused to turn to God for help and it cost him his life!
Now in closing today my friends, please notice one more significant insight into Asa’s leadership failure at the end of his reign in vs. 10. Would you agree every leader needs advisors around them who will help them with wise counsel, help them see their vulnerability or what some might call their ‘blind spots’? Hanani was one of those for Asa, and Hanani always brought to Asa God’s perspective on the issue! But look what Asa did to Hanani when the word he brought to Asa from God was chastisement rather than applause: “Asa was angry with Hanani because of this; Asa was so enraged that he put Hanani in prison. At the same time Asa brutally oppressed some of the people.” (2 Chron. 16:10)
Do you see the evidence of a dramatic change in the condition of king Asa’s heart in his old age, after 35 glorious years of leading the people during a time of peace and prosperity with God’s blessing? What happened? So look around friends? Look at the leaders in your world… family leaders, business leaders, community leaders, church leaders, political leaders. What light does king Asa’s experience shed on how you view leadership in our day? What wisdom is God giving you today about leadership behavior and thinking?
We, followers of Jesus Christ have a significant advantage in this matter as God removes what I call ‘mind blind’ by the power of His Holy Spirit. Here’s a short video clip that will help you understand this powerful truth:
Click to read today’s chapter: 2 Chronicles 16. (At the top you can choose a different translation.)
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Bible images provided with attribution to www.LumoProject.com.
Have a comment or question about today’s chapter? I’m ready to hear from you, contact me here.
Pastor Doug Anderson 262.441.8785
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
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