Grace Evangelical Society

P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202
  • About
    • Home
    • Beliefs
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
  • Resources
    • Grace in Focus Magazine
    • Grace in Focus Radio
    • Free eBooks
    • Journal of the GES
    • Book Reviews
    • Partners in Grace Newsletter
    • Audio Messages
    • Videos
    • Blog
    • Su Gracia Gratuita (Spanish Blog)
    • Graça sem limites (Portuguese Blog)
    • Email Subscription
    • Bookstore
    • Online Tracts
  • Store
    • Main Page
    • On Sale
    • Return Policy
    • Your Cart
    • Your Account
  • Events
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Free Grace Church and Bible Study Tracker
    • Free Grace Jobs
    • Ministry Links
  • Donate
    • One Time Donation
    • Monthly Donation
    • Your Account
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Home
→
Grace in Focus Articles
→
Seeking God: Hebrews 11:6 and 2 Chronicles 15:2

Seeking God: Hebrews 11:6 and 2 Chronicles 15:2

November 1, 2019 by Kenneth Yates in Grace in Focus Articles

By Ken Yates

I have a confession to make. Sometimes it is difficult for me to determine how to apply a passage in the OT to my life. I know that all Scriptures are profitable (2 Tim 3:16), but when I try to ask what certain passages addressed to the nation of Israel have to do with the Church, I am sometimes at a loss. I feel that in some cases I may be forcing some kind of application.

But then there are other times when the application and parallels are crystal clear. In Heb 11:6 we are told that God rewards those who seek Him. In the context the author is talking about eternal rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ. God does not hide from us as His children. He wants us to seek Him. We will find Him if we do. We will be greatly rewarded in the process.

God’s Promise to Asa

Recently I was reading through the book of 2 Chronicles and found a great OT example of what Heb 11:6 teaches. Asa was the king of Judah. Idolatry was a constant problem with the Jews, both in the North (Israel) and the South (Judah). We are told that Asa was a good king and did right in the sight of God (2 Chron 14:2). In 2 Chron 15:2, we are told that God sent a prophet to Asa and old him that if he sought the Lord, he would find Him. God would reward him if he did so. Clearly, this is a great parallel with Heb 11:6.

In the verses that follow in 2 Chronicles, we see how that promise by God worked its way out in the life of Asa. In chap. 15 we see how Asa sought God. He removed idols from Judah. He restored the altar in the temple. He made sacrifices to the Lord. He convinced his people to seek the Lord. He even removed his own mother from her position of authority because she was a fanatic idol worshiper (15:16).

And how did God reward Asa for seeking after Him? God gave him peace from all his enemies (15:19). He had a successful reign as king over his people.

When Asa Quit Seeking

But in chap. 16, everything changes. Asa quit seeking the Lord. When he found himself in a bind, he sought the help of a pagan king instead of the Lord. Even though the Lord had brought him victory in battle before (16:8), he had forgotten what the Lord had done. As a result of his lack of trust in the Lord, Asa experienced wars the rest of his time as king (16:9).

This also impacted other areas of Asa’s life. He became angry at God’s prophet. He oppressed his people (16:10). When he became sick to the point of death, he would not go to the Lord for help (16:12).

When Asa sought the Lord, he was rewarded by God. When he did not seek the Lord, he experienced the opposite.

In the midst of the account of Asa’s rebellion against God, the author of 2 Chronicles adds an additional theological point. A prophet reminded Asa that God looks for those people who are committed to Him (16:9). In other words, God seeks for those who seek Him!

Seek the Lord

God wants to reward His people in whatever age they live. He wants us to seek Him. And He is seeking for people who do so. While we look for Him, He is looking for us. Asa experienced that.

And so can we. If we seek the rewards that come from being faithful to the Lord—both in this life and the one to come—we can rest assured that God will ensure that our quest is successful!

____________________

Ken Yates is the pastor of Little River Baptist Church in Jenkinsville, SC. He teaches at Bible institutes all over the world on behalf of GES.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
Kenneth Yates

by Kenneth Yates

Ken Yates is the Editor of the Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society, GES’s East Coast and International speaker, and the pastor of Little River Baptist Church in Jenkinsville, SC.

Cart

Recently Added

January 15, 2021

Dos aspectos de la cruz

He comenzado a trabajar en serio en mi próximo libro. Como continuación de mi libro anterior, Chosen to Serve [Elegido para servir]—que trataba con la...
January 15, 2021

Is it Possible to be a True Disciple In Isolation?

In todays episode of Grace in Focus, Bob and Shawn will be chatting about isolation in the life of a believer. Can a believer grow,...
January 15, 2021

Do Not Trust in Politicians

Did you ever notice that the New Testament barely mentions the names or actions of the ruling authorities of the day? For example, during the...

Grace in Focus Radio

All Episodes

Listen to Stitcher

Listen on Spotify

Grace In Focus Magazine

Grace In Focus is sent to subscribers in the United States free of charge.

Subscribe for Free

The primary source of Grace Evangelical Society's funding is through charitable contributions. GES uses all contributions and proceeds from the sales of our resources to further the gospel of grace in the United States and abroad.

Donate

Bookstore Specials

  • Luke: The Life of Imitating Jesus - Volume 2 $8.95 $2.50
  • Tough Texts: Did Jesus Teach Salvation by Works? $18.00 $10.00
  • The Gospel Under Siege: Faith and Works in Tension $16.00 $7.00
  • Luke: The Life of Imitating Jesus - Volume 1 $8.95 $2.50
  • Here Walks My Enemy: The Story of Luis (Paperback) $6.95 $3.95
Grace Evangelical Society
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

(940) 270-8827 / ges@faithalone.org

4851 S I-35E Suite 203, Corinth, TX 76210
P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202

Tweets by GESwebmaster