Asa, the King of the Southern Kingdom, was struggling in his war efforts against the Northern Kingdom and other nations that threatened him. Azariah had a great message from God to share with Asa. He said, ““Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: ?The Lord is with you while you are with him. ?If you seek him, he will be found by you, ?but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.” The question in warfare is not so much who’s side is the Lord on? It’s really who is on the Lord’s side?
In 1863, during the Civil War, President Lincoln overheard someone remark that they hoped “the Lord was on the Union’s side.” Lincoln gave a straightforward reply: I am not at all concerned about that, for I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation should be on the Lord’s side.”
More recently, a hymn by Norman MacLeod (written in 1857) was an inspiration for another man at war—General Norman Schwarzkopf. It says,
Courage brother, do not stumble, though thy path be dark as night:
There is a star to guide the humble, trust in God, and do the right.
Let the road be dark and dreary and its end far out of sight.
Face it bravely, strong or weary. Trust God, and do the right.
Do what’s right in God’s eyes, and everything else will take care of itself!
Chuck
“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 (NLT)