The people of Israel had been very rebellious against God. It was when they were in great distress that they turned back to God. There was much to do to return the people and the land to being God’s people. The prophet encouraged them to be strong and do what needed to be done. In this day, the lead for turning to God seems to have come from Asa.

Our world today is in great turmoil. There are many places where it is not safe to travel about. Many have lost their home and their jobs because of the widespread recession and are in great distress. Even people who call themselves the people of God were caught up in market speculation (and greed?) before it all came crashing down.

In this distress, are people turning to the Lord? Who is leading the way? We don’t have an Asa as a head of a nation to lead that nation back to the Lord. Will we need even greater distress before people turn to the Lord? Can those of us who call ourselves Christ-followers lead the way?

Lord, give me a heart that seeks you and turns to you. May I lead the way for those with whom I have contact to turn back to you.

2 Chronicles 15:2-6