Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 16:7, 12

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 16:7, 12

"And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.

And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians."

The first issue with Asa not turning to the Lord but instead relied on the king of Syria I could understand the problem. Especially when Asa took silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the Lord and sent it to him. The second example I was a little more confused on why he couldn't seek the advice of physicians. This made me turn to the church handbook to see what it says on seeking medical and health care.

"Seeking competent medical help, exercising faith, and receiving priesthood blessings work together for healing, according to the will of the Lord.

Members should not use or promote medical or health practices that are ethically, spiritually, or legally questionable. Those who have health problems should consult with competent medical professionals who are licensed in the areas where they practice.

In addition to seeking competent medical help, members of the Church are encouraged to follow the scriptural injunction in James 5:14 to “call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” Priesthood blessings of healing are given by those who hold the necessary priesthood office. They are given when requested and at no charge (see 18.13).

Church members are discouraged from seeking miraculous or supernatural healing from an individual or group that claims to have special methods for accessing healing power outside of prayer and properly performed priesthood blessings. These practices are often referred to as “energy healing.” Other names are also used. Such promises for healing are often given in exchange for money."

(Church handbook, [38.7.8] Medical and Health Care)

It appears the issue for Asa was leaving the Lord out of the equation all together. He must have not sought the Lord in prayer or turned to Hanani the seer when counsel was needed. In fact Asa was wroth with the seer and put him in the prison house when he spoke the word of the Lord against him. Asa had such a promising beginning and then it appears he felt he was wiser and didn't need the Lord anymore. He was finally left to himself and dies.

Day 2542