Admit when you are wrong

Scripture for today: 2 Chronicles 16. 

Asa was the fifth king in the lineage of David. When he ascended to the throne, he had to make some very difficult decisions concerning family. For instance, he had to undo the idolatrous works of his father, and he had to remove his own wayward grandmother from her royal position.  

For Asa to follow God, he had to break away from the sinful foundation that his family had laid for him. However, his commitment to God brought tremendous blessings for himself and the nation. Economically and militarily the nation prospered.  

In spite of his great start, Asa did not finish well. Later in life, Asa got too confident in his own abilities apart from his dependence upon God. On the international scene, he made a shrewd move to bribe the king of Syria in order to avoid a potential devastating conflict. His secret diplomacy worked, but his actions were not authorized by God. When he was confronted by one of God’s prophets, he chose defiance. Asa would not listen to the prophet. In his anger he imprisoned the prophet and persecuted some of his own people.  

After this incident, there is no record of Asa getting things right with God. Even as he faced a terminal illness, Scripture says that he sought the physicians but not God. His lack of contrition led to bitterness.  

We must not be like Asa. We must be able to admit when we are wrong. We must be ready to respond in a positive manner when we are convicted by God’s Word over some issue in our life. No one is ever above correction. Is there any sin or misdeed currently in your life that you refuse to get right with God? Why? 

This devotion is based on Marty McLain's book "The Crown has Fallen: A Study of the Kings of Judah."