"SO FAR, SO GOOD!"

Written and preached by David P. Nolte

2 CHRONICLES 14:1 - 16:13

When Solomon became king after David's death, he asked God for wisdom to govern his people. So far, so good. But he allowed his foreign wives to influence him and he failed to remain faithful to God in his later years. As a result of his idolatry, after his death the kingdom was divided. Solomon's son, Rehoboam reigned over the Southern Kingdom, Judah. He did evil in the sight of the Lord. He died and his son, Abijah, reigned in his place. Abijah began his reign trusting the Lord for guidance and defeated Jeroboam, King of Israel in battle. So far, so good. But for the most part Abijah did evil in the sight of the Lord. He died and his son Asa ascended to the throne. It is written of Asa, "And Asa did good and right in the sight of the Lord his God, ..." 2 Chronicles 14:2. So far, so good. But then one poor choice, a single faulty decision, a momentary compromise, and the good was blurred in a cloud of failure. What is it about Kings, politicians and even religious leaders that makes them think they are above the law? What gets into people when they are elevated to positions of trust and responsibility? What gets into us that makes any of us start well and end weak? We saw it in Solomon, Abijah, and Asa. We see the phenomenon replicated in our own culture and in our own leaders, and even in our own lives. A good start, full of idealism, zeal, and good works. But far too frequently there comes the moment of truth revealing feet of clay. That's how it was with a young man who was being considered for promotion at the bank where he was employed. He had excelled in his vocation. He was looked upon with esteem by his colleagues. He found approval in the eyes of his employers. He, like Asa, started off well. So far, so good. Let's consider Asa this morning to discover insights for our own living.

Asa desired to be right in God's eyes and the young bank employee hoped to look good in the eyes of his employers. He worked hard, striving for a promotion. He had gone beyond the minimum requirements of his job. He relied on his reputation to advance him. He felt snug and confident in his job security. As Asa faced the difficulty of his enemies, there was one factor which gave him a real confidence and security. He knew the Lord. He had been faithful to the Lord, and the Lord had been faithful to him. So far, so good. Returning to the text, what more do we learn about Asa?

Asa depended on the Lord. The young bank employee depended upon his reputation in the bank. He believed that he was sure to get his promotion. So far, so good. But, on the very day when he would have been promoted, the bank president was behind him in a cafeteria line. He saw the young man slip two pats of butter under his slice of bread so they wouldn't be seen by the cashier. He stole the butter and that little act of dishonesty cost him his promotion. Just 10 cents' worth of butter made the difference. The bank president reasoned that if an employee cannot be trusted in little things he cannot be trusted at all. He had done so well, and then made a foolish choice. Asa had done so much right: he was faithful to the Lord, he depended upon Him but then made a misstep that cost him God's blessing.

Asa started out well. So far, so good. But for whatever reason, he faltered in the end and lost God's blessing. How is it with you today? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is God's Son? If you do, So far, so good. Are you willing to turn from and forsake all sin? If you are, so far, so good. Will you confess your belief before these witnesses today? If you will, so far, so good. Will you be buried in the watery grave of baptism? If you are willing to do that, so far, so good. And are you determined to live life, as long as it lasts for Christ? If you are, so far, so good. But it isn't just good intentions that cut it. It is not going just part way with Jesus that counts. We cannot rely on past fidelity to cover subsequent lapse of faith. What matters is making Him Lord of life from now until our final breath. What matters is living faithfully for Him, and, when we fail, confessing it and striving on. It is keeping our heart in tune with His. It is focusing our affections upon Him every moment. Let me appeal to you: Never be content with a life that starts strong and ends weak. Never be satisfied with a life that will cause Him to say, "Well begun!" So live that when you stand before the Judge of all, He can say, "Well done!"

Story from unknown source.

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