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II CHRONICLES 16:9

"THE GOODNESS OF OUR GOD"

I. ASA'S EXPERIENCE OF THE GOODNESS OF GOD.
        A. It was in the beginning of his reign.
                1. The Ethiopians had come against him 1 million strong.
                2. He was weak, and he knew it.
                3. He cried unto the Lord.
                        a. "It is nothing with thee to help"
                        b. whether with many, or with them that have no
                           power.
                        c. Help us, for we rest on thee.
                        d. Let not man prevail against thee.
                4. And the Lord smote the Ethiopians.
        B. He was promised the continued goodness of God.
                1. The Lord is with you while you be with Him and if you
                   seek Him, He will be found of you; but if you forsake
                   Him, He will forsake you.
        C. Why did God show His goodness to Asa?

II. THE TRAGIC MISTAKE OF ASA.
        A. In the 36th year of his reign.
                1. He had become prosperous and strong
                2. Israel had moved against him, they began to build
                   fortified cities to cut off their trade routes.
                3. He took money out of the treasuries of the Lord's
                   house and hired Ben-Hadad to attack Israel
                4. The plan was successful but he lost his kingdom.
                5. He forsook the Lord.
                        a. How can a man forsake the Lord when he has
                           experienced God's power?
                                1. By just resting in past experiences.
                                2. Tragic day when your relationship with
                                   God is described in past tense.
                6. He may have won the battle but he introduced a
                   principle that lost him the war.

III. HOW GOD GIVES  - vs. 9.
        A. With man 3 basic types of givers.
                1. He needs to be sold.
                2. He needs to know.
                3. He's looking for a place.
        B. God is looking for a place to invest His infinite resources.
                1. the conditions for these blessings: "Whose heart is
                   perfect towards Him"
                2. get your heart and life in alignment with the
                   purposes of God.