2 Chronicles 15:17
“But the high places were not removed from Israel; nevertheless Asa’s heart was blameless all his days.”
What a wonderful thing to be said of a life. It reminds me of the conclusion of one of Jesus’ parable in Matthew 25:23, “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’” That is what we all want to hear.
What’s encouraging about this is the very verse shows how Asa wasn’t perfect. The high places weren’t removed. Yet God’s words about him is that his heart was blameless. Many may have found fault with him. Not God.
God is a merciful god. I think of the Prodigal Son parable. This son was a mess, yet his father longed for him and was very happy at his return. He killed the fatted calf.
God sees us through Jesus’ sacrifice. We’re perfect. Yet, we aren’t completed in our sanctification. We will struggle with issues for the rest of our lives. Temptations, anger, fear and so on. We will win some and lose some. Yet, God sees us in perfection.
I feel that God will say the same of us walking christians. We are not perfect by any means. We are clinging to Him. The Holy Spirit is in us and encouraging us (Romans 8:16). He gives “Atta boys (or girls)!” He musses our hair like a loving father. Sincerely.
We aren’t the most pious or powerful. Just calling on Him and clinging to Him. That’s all it takes and we got an amazing relationship with God. He will say of us as He said of Asa, “His heart was perfect towards God all the days of his lives.”
One would be surprised by this. That’s because we are ordinary. 2 Corinthians 4:7 says of us, “Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.” We are jars of clay. Another verse says, “earthen vessels”. It doesn’t get more ordinary that that, clay pots. There are the expensive painted and glazed pots. We aren’t those. That’s the beauty of it. We are seen as perfect in Christ. He cheers us on daily and as we cross the finish line. Zephaniah 3:17 says, “The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Thank You, God. Your love is so great and encouraging. You make it joyful and easy. You cheer us on. We aren’t special, but we are to You. Thank You.