Reforms Under The Leadership Of Asa

Reforms Under The Leadership Of Asa

I Kings 15:13-14 NKJV

[13] Also he removed Maachah his grandmother from being queen mother, because she had made an obscene image of Asherah. And Asa cut down her obscene image and burned it by the Brook Kidron. [14] But the high places were not removed. Nevertheless Asa’s heart was loyal to the Lord all his days. 

Mirriam Webster describes reforms as the attempt " to put an end to (an evil) by enforcing or introducing a better method or course of action". Yesterday we examined the revival that Asa started. Revivals however do not last except there are profound changes in the psyche of the people involved. Kenneth Berding in 2018 reported on two revivals in wales. One was in 1859, and the other was in 1904. This is the submission: "  The positive effects of the first revival both for the church and for society persisted for many years. The second revival, lacking an emphasis on the Bible, was “gone as quickly as it came.” Hansen and Woodbridge remarked about the second awakening: “After several years, Wales returned to its previous state of religious indifference.” The second revival was like a sparkler that spouted brilliant colors for a moment, sputtered, then grew suddenly dark". Colin Hansen and Woodridge had compared the two  revivals. They said, " Evan Roberts, the best-known preacher of the second: “Roberts, a gifted exhorter who led meetings filled with prayers, singing, and testimonies, did not prioritize Bible teaching. Compared to the 1859 revival, fewer Welsh preachers taught biblical doctrine. Instead, many new converts sought mystical experiences.” That revival died.  Asa perhaps  thought about such when he removed the grandmother from being queenmother and destroyed her shrine. Two can't work together except they're in agreement. He might not have dealt with all the high places, but no one in leadership was going to go against Jehovah. That must have sent news to the rest in the nation that reforms are underway. Don't just look for a revival. Look for deep spiritual change in lives. That will last. Good morning.