2 Chronicles 15:1-2 - Who has your ear?

"The Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded.  He went out to meet Asa and said to him, 'Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin.  The Lord is with you when you are with him.  If you seek him, he will be bound by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.' "

Asa King of Judah did what was good and right in the sight of the Lord.  He destroyed the high places, altars, and Asherah poles, and commanded Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, and to obey his laws and commands.  Although Asa was a man of God and did his best to comply with all the commands of the Lord, he was still human, with human faults and failings.  But one thing Asa did show wisdom in, and that was to listen to the man of God, Azariah.   Asa welcomed people who had a close relationship with God, and he listened to and complied with their messages.  

Just as Asa welcomed people of God into his life, so should we.  Fellowship with other committed Christians gives us encouragement; strengthens us for the battles we face; lets us know we're not alone in our struggles; and many times direct words from the Lord are given.  Spending time with Spirit-filled people helps us to learn God's counsel.  Spending regular time in discussion and prayer with others who can help us discern God's will  for our lives is a definite blessing.   Unity in prayer brings powerful results, grows our faith, and is a visible witness to those who watch our lives.

Azariah told Asa that "the Lord is with you when you are with Him."   Our Lord God will not remain where He is not wanted.   He is a gentleman and bows to our wishes and desires.   If we truly mean to live our lives without God, He will leave us to our own devices and the consequences of our choices.  The Holy Spirit will try to draw us back to God for only so long, and then He leaves.   God does not force Himself on us; He is our choice.  If you have ever felt like "throwing in the towel" and calling it quits with the Lord, gather in your committed Christian friends and have them pray for you.  If you are struggling with your walk with God, the enemy of your soul is ripping and tearing at you - call for reinforcements!!!!  It will be a hard move but in this case, the end justifies the means.  Just do it!!!

Azariah also said "If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you."  God knows where we are every second in eternal time, He doesn't need to search us out.  Holy GPS, God's Positioning System, is never turned off.   God is ever-present in our lives, like  a second skin, but He can't shed us.  The first move is always up to us.  WE must seek Him out and WE must reject Him if we want no further communication with Him.  The choice is ALWAYS OURS.  God never moves.  If He appears distant or absent from our lives, then we must examine ourselves to see what we did that led us out of God's sphere.  God never moves, we do.  Just like God doesn't send anyone to hell; we chose where we will spend eternity by our own actions.   WE make the choices that determine our own eternity.

Does the Lord seem distant from you?  Is there something in your life that needs attended to?  Who are you associating with and what is filling your heart?  Do you need a spiritual re=evaluation? 

"Lord Jesus, I love you.  I need you in my life every second of every day.  I seek you out, Lord; I invited you to lead my life.  Guide me and lead me by Your Holy Spirit.  Fill my life with Your Divine Appointments, so that I will always walk in wise counsel.  Use me to Your glory, O God, forever.  Amen."

FOR FURTHER STUDY:

Deuteronomy 31:6,8 (5-8)
Jeremiah 29:13
John 7:17

Joshua 1:5
           24:15
1 Kings 8:57
Psalm 65:4
Matthew 12:5
John 14:18