{"id":245,"date":"2023-04-05T14:53:18","date_gmt":"2023-04-05T14:53:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/?page_id=245"},"modified":"2025-12-15T20:09:58","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T20:09:58","slug":"strength-renewed","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/strength-renewed\/","title":{"rendered":"STRENGTH RENEWED"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

STRENGTH RENEWED<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 Chronicles 14, 15, 16:9<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the next several weeks we will explore what the Bible has to say about God\u2019s plans to work in our lives and MAKE<\/strong> ALL THINGS NEW.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, I want to talk about His plan to strengthen and empower you to live your life for Him. <\/strong>More than just looking good on the outside \u2014 He wants to make you right on the inside. So, beyond the issue of your salvation \u2014 He longs to empower you to find STRENGTH IN HIM to serve Him, to trust Him, and to fulfill His purposes in your life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

TRANSITION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I bet many<\/strong> of you have traveled to Ellis<\/strong> Island<\/strong> and visited the Statue of Liberty.<\/strong> As you know, it\u2019s an American icon<\/strong>. Standing 151 feet tall \u2014 Lady Liberty represents the hope of true FREEDOM and a better way of life.<\/strong> They say, she\u2019s visited annually by nearly 5 million people <\/strong>from around the world. She was first erected in 1886<\/strong>, as a gift of friendship from France.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, as the saying goes: Freedom Is Never Free! <\/strong>And while she didn\u2019t cost us anything then \u2014 it costs some $6 million dollars<\/strong> to maintain the statue each year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But sometimes, it costs even more. After her first 100 years,<\/strong> she had become incredibly dirty<\/strong>, deeply weathered<\/strong>, and was beginning to show signs<\/strong> of<\/strong> degradation<\/strong>. And so, in 1982, President Ronald Reagan<\/strong> commissioned to give her a facelift and renovate the exterior. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the end, it took 4 years<\/strong> and $266 million dollars<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They process of renovation was extensive. To accomplish the task of cleaning and restoring the 151 feet of copper<\/strong> sheeting<\/strong> \u2014 engineers built a massive set of scaffolding around her.<\/strong> And for 4 years, the metal<\/strong> workers<\/strong>, the welders<\/strong>, and the polishers<\/strong> climbed up and down the framework making repairs. While Lady Liberty represented something great \u2014 left on her own she was powerless.<\/strong> <\/strong>Nothing more than a just a<\/strong> symbol. <\/strong>A statue.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And I share that with you, because I\u2019ve found a lot of Christians <\/strong>that tend to live that way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rather than them being dependent upon the work and empowerment of God\u2019s Spirit on the inside, they tend to depend upon the <\/strong>exterior religious things to <\/strong>prop them up.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They may have begun with a genuine faith in Christ, but somewhere along the lines allowed activities and routines to satisfy them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so, instead of being empowered by God\u2019s strength \u2014 their lives are held up by the religious<\/strong> scaffoldings around them. <\/strong>Things like events and habits and services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But hear me \u2014 God<\/strong> doesn\u2019t want us to live off of RELIGION<\/strong>\u2026He wants us to know Him<\/strong>, and trust Him <\/strong>\u2014 to walk with Him<\/strong> and be strengthened by Him.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MESSAGE:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Old Testament<\/strong> book of 2 Chronicles <\/strong>we find a story about a King who knew the Lord and had walked with Him, but refused to live by faith. <\/strong>And instead, sought to live life his way, on his own strength \u2014 and to his demise, refused to allow the Lord into His life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s the story of a king<\/strong> Asa \u2014 the King of Judah.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might recognize his name<\/strong>. Because, he<\/strong> was the great grandson <\/strong>of late King Solomon.<\/strong> An heir of the great King David. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When he gained the throne \u2014 there was lots of excitement and expectation. After all, he came from a long line of great men<\/strong>. And in the beginning, he started off well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, 2 Chronicles 14:2<\/strong> tells us,  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 \u201c<\/em><\/strong>Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God.<\/em> <\/em>3 <\/em><\/strong>He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. <\/em>4 <\/em><\/strong>He commanded Judah to seek the Lord<\/em>, the God of their ancestors, and to obey his laws and commands.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 Chronicles 14:2 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Bible<\/strong>, his Godly<\/strong> actions brought about peace for his nation<\/strong>. And for years things went well. But in time, he was confronted by a great enemy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Judah<\/strong> was invade by the Ethiopians. <\/strong>At that time they were a force to be reckoned with. They had an army of one million men <\/strong>\u2013 plus numerous chariots <\/strong>and other warriors<\/strong>. Well, long story\/short \u2013 Asa<\/strong> called out to God.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And in 2 Chronicles 14:11, <\/strong>we read:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11 <\/em><\/strong>\u201cThen Asa called to the Lord his God and said, \u201cLord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. Lord, you are our God\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 Chronicles 14:11 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, things began great \u2014 as Asa<\/strong> led his nation to trust in God<\/strong> and depend upon His strength. And God<\/strong> gave Judah<\/strong> the victory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But as the years went by, Asa<\/strong> traded in a close reliance upon God<\/strong> \u2014 with the form of godliness and religious activity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And while we are not told of the specifics<\/strong> \u2014 we know that his passion<\/strong> for God<\/strong> grew cold <\/strong>and his closeness<\/strong> with God<\/strong> grew distant<\/strong>. We\u2019re not told exactly what it was, but something changed in Asa<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And in Chapter 16,<\/strong> Asa<\/strong> is again confronted with another challenge. This time it\u2019s with King<\/strong> Baasha of Israel.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past, Asa<\/strong> sought the Lord<\/strong>. But this time, he acted without God! He followed his own plans and ideas, and even sought the help of a pagan king in the area.<\/strong> <\/strong>He chose to partner with the Syrian<\/strong> nation <\/strong>(known as Aram<\/strong>) to try to defeat King Baasha.<\/strong> But in the end\u2026it was a bad decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem \u2014 was that Asa relied upon his own strength!<\/strong> <\/strong>He did (as generations had done before him), and did what was wise in his own eyes. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to he Bible<\/strong>, his heart grew cold <\/strong>\u2014 His devotion wavered \u2014 and His faithfulness faltered<\/strong>. And because of that \u2014 He and his nation suffered.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2 Chronicles 16:7<\/strong> it says, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

7 <\/em><\/strong>At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: \u201cBecause you relied on the king of Aram and not on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. <\/em>8 <\/em><\/strong>Were not the Cushites<\/em> <\/em>and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen? Yet when you relied on the Lord, he delivered them into your hand. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

9 <\/em><\/strong>For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 Chronicles 16:7-9 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what I want you to know\u2026God longs to BLESS and EMPOWER you as you live for Him. His plan is to daily give you the strength you need to face the moments, the opportunities, and the challenges that come your way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\u2019s not satisfied with the things He\u2019s done in your life in the past \u2014 He has promised to RENEW your strength today. To do something NEW IN YOU today! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, in the time that remains \u2014 I want to look at three challenges that I see within this story. Three was we can live differently than Asa, and in our weakest moments \u2014 find our STRENGTH RENEWED by the Lord. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the first challenge is this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. RECOGNIZE God’s DIVINE awareNESS!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a truth Asa<\/strong> overlooked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But God is always aware<\/strong> \u2014 He\u2019s aware of everything. He sees all. He knows all you are going through in life. Everything. Every moment. Every day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is aware. He\u2019s aware of your pain. He\u2019s aware of your trouble\u2026and every challenge you face. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It appears that Asa<\/strong> bought into that age old lie that says, God only sees some things. As if, He is some absent minded grandfather \u2014 who\u2019s just unobservant. Or worse, that He\u2019s like a distracted child, unable to stay focused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But God is neither. <\/strong>He is always aware. Always seeing. Always watching over you and me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Matthew 10:30<\/strong>, Jesus<\/strong> said, the very hairs of our head are numbered. That is amazing. God is all-knowing, he is aware of everything about us<\/strong>, everything we do <\/strong>and everything we think<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He knows what goes on in private<\/strong> as well as in public<\/strong>. He knows more about us than we know about ourselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jeremiah 1:5 <\/strong>says, before He formed in your mother\u2019s womb, He knew you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 139:2-3 <\/strong>says, He knows when we get up in the morning and when we go to bed at night<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proverbs 15:3 <\/strong>says, \u201cThe eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s really what Hanani was trying to remind Asa\u2026He wanted Him to RECOGNIZE GOD\u2019S DIVINE AWARENESS <\/strong>of all things. Again, in verse 9,<\/strong> he says: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

9 <\/em><\/strong>For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We serve a God who sees all things! <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\u2019s not near-sighted, only seeing a few things in our lives. Nor is He far-sighted, only seeing life from a distance. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\u2019s all-knowing and ever-present\u2026and He\u2019s continually aware of every detail of our lives! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, don\u2019t give up on God when life gets tough. Instead\u2026keep believing. Because, He sees all!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secondly, this story challenges us to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) RECALL God\u2019S UNWAVERING CARE!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In verse 8,<\/strong> the prophet<\/strong> Hanani<\/strong> reminded Asa<\/strong> of a time when other armies came against him \u2014 and when he turned to the Lord, the Lord<\/strong> turned to Him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen again to the prophet\u2019s<\/strong> rebuttal. He said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8 <\/em><\/strong>Were not the <\/em>Cushites<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>and <\/em>Libyans<\/em><\/strong> a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen? <\/em>Yet when you relied on the Lord<\/em>, <\/em>he delivered them into your hand.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 Chronicles 16:8 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was saying\u2026God is faithful! <\/strong>He always has been, and always will be!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I just wonder, how differently would Asa\u2019s future <\/strong>have been if he would have paused to remember God\u2019s faithfulness.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But he didn\u2019t\u2026and instead, he began to FEAR<\/strong> his enemies. Isn\u2019t fear an awful thing?<\/strong> <\/strong>It can be so debilitating. When it comes to our faith\u2026our walk with God, fear is one of the enemies greatest weapons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I read this week that fear actually feeds on our forgetfulness! It finds life and power in our inability to REMEMBER GOD\u2019S FAITHFULNESS. <\/strong>It seems to thrive on our spiritual amnesia.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we forget God\u2019s faithfulness <\/strong>in the past, when<\/strong> overlook<\/strong> His love in the present<\/strong>. Fear begins to creep in.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the BEST DEFENSE for fear \u2014 is FAITH! Simply trusting in God. Recalling His goodness to us. Remembering His faithfulness. Reciting His promises.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why David<\/strong> proclaims in Psalm 23<\/strong>, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.\u2026Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, f<\/em>or you are with me<\/em><\/strong>\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 23:1,4 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember God\u2019s faithfulness.<\/strong> Just look back in your own life \u2014 and recall those moments where He has been with you, where He has cared for you, where He has provided, defended, delivered, and worked miracles on your behalf. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look back, recall\u2026and HOLD TIGHT TO HIM. <\/strong>Because, He is the same<\/strong> yesterday<\/strong>, today<\/strong>, and forever.<\/strong> He will not let you down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I guarantee you, that everything else in this world will \u2013 but Jesus will not let you down.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Jeremiah<\/strong> wrote in Lamentations 3:22,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

22 <\/em><\/strong>Because of the Lord\u2019s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.<\/em> 23<\/em><\/strong> Th<\/em>ey are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.\u201d<\/em> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

REMEMBER God\u2019s divine awareness. RECALL God\u2019s unwavering care, and lastly\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. RESPOND TO GOD WITH RESOLUTE FAITH!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, in 2 Chronicles 16:9<\/strong>, God<\/strong> makes a promise. As the Word<\/strong> tells us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9 <\/em><\/strong>For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a promise. God is looking <\/strong>for those who are fully committed, fully surrendered, fully trusting in Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His promise is that He stands ready to strengthen your heart <\/strong>\u2014 to encouraging you in life. To renew your passion and your zeal for Him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast to the story about the Statue of Liberty, this is what it looks like to be STRENGTHENED FROM WITHIN. To have God working on the inside \u2014 rather than having to be propped up by RELIGION on the outside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Asa<\/strong>, he looked the part. He even had stories of God\u2019s work in the past that he could tell. But somewhere along the line \u2014 he traded in a RESOLUTE FAITH <\/strong>for self-reliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And he quit depending upon God.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, while he may have quit looking for God \u2014 God continued to look for Him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As verse 9<\/strong> says \u2014 God is looking <\/strong>for fully committed people in whom He can bless and make strong! He wants to strengthen you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But notice the requirement:<\/strong> <\/strong>we just be fully committed to Him! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sadly, Asa<\/strong> didn\u2019t fit that criteria anymore. His heart was no longer fully committed to God<\/strong>. In fact, there\u2019s a sad<\/strong> commentary<\/strong> on Asa\u2019s<\/strong> life<\/strong> that comes just a few verses later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2 Chronicles 16:12<\/strong>, it says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12 <\/em><\/strong>\u201cIn the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa developed a serious foot disease. Yet even with the severity of his disease, <\/em>he did not seek the Lord\u2019s help<\/em><\/strong> but <\/em>turned only to his physicians<\/em>. <\/em>13<\/em><\/strong> So he died in the forty-first year of his reign.\u201d<\/em> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 Chronicles 16:12-13<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What<\/strong> a sad ending<\/strong> to a life that started out so good! Years earlier he trusted God for<\/strong> victory<\/strong> over a massive Ethiopian army. But now, he couldn\u2019t even turn to God<\/strong> for help<\/strong> with his sore foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t let that be said of you. Keep believing! Keep trusting. Keep the faith! <\/strong>Remain RESOLUTE IN YOUR FAITH\u2026and watch God pour out His strength and blessing into you!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CONCLUSION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bible says in Proverbs 28:20<\/strong>, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA faithful person will be richly blessed.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proverbs 28:20 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I want your life be blessed. But to experience God\u2019s best \u2014 you have to fully commit yourself to Him. Trust Him with everything. Because, if you will\u2026you\u2019ll find your heart strengthened \u2014 and life RENEWED<\/strong>! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

STRENGTH RENEWED 2 Chronicles 14, 15, 16:9 Over the next several weeks we will explore what the Bible has to say about God\u2019s plans to …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-245","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/245","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=245"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/245\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2639,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/245\/revisions\/2639"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=245"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}