Travel with God

There was constant war between King Asa of Judah [in the south] and King Baasha of Israel [in the north]. King Baasha of Israel invaded Judah and fortified Ramah in order to prevent anyone from entering or leaving King Asa's territory in Judah. Asa responded by removing all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of the Temple of the LORD and the royal palace. He sent it with some of his officials to Ben-hadad son of Tabrimmon, son of Hezion, the king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus, along with this message: "Let there be a treaty between you and me like the one between your father and my father. See, I am sending you a gift of silver and gold. Break your treaty with King Baasha of Israel so that he will leave me alone." (1 Kings 15:16-19 NLT)

Life is filled with ups and downs, rest and challenge, joy and sorrow.  The question is now whether these things will come our way.  The question is how we will respond to them as they come our way.  Asa was being attacked by his own Israelite family from the north.  His response was to try to build peace.

Ben-hadad agreed to King Asa's request and sent the commanders of his army to attack the towns of Israel. They conquered the towns of Ijon, Dan, Abel-beth-maacah, and all Kinnereth, and all the land of Naphtali. As soon as Baasha of Israel heard what was happening, he abandoned his project of fortifying Ramah and withdrew to Tirzah. (1 Kings 15:20-21 NLT)

This is much more in keeping with the wishes The LORD.  Not only is God a God of peace, but The LORD had specifically instructed them not to go to war with each other (See 1 Kings 12:22-24).  Asa is working to restore that peace.

Then King Asa sent an order throughout Judah, requiring that everyone, without exception, help to carry away the building stones and timbers that Baasha had been using to fortify Ramah. Asa used these materials to fortify the town of Geba in Benjamin and the town of Mizpah. (1 Kings 15:22 NLT)

Asa also set up the tribes of the south (Benjamin and Judah) to be able to protect themselves in the future.  Remember, King Asa in the south had something said about him that could not even be said about Solomon or David: “…Asa's heart remained completely faithful to the LORD throughout his life” (1 Kings 15:14 NLT).

How about you?  Can these words about Asa also be said about you?  Do you want them to be said about you?  Are you ready to be faithful to The LORD throughout the rest of your life?  Are you ready to travel with God?