2 Chronicles 14:11

Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: "O LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God. Do not let a mere mortal prevail against You."

Study Bible

Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God:
Asa, the king of Judah, demonstrates his reliance on God through prayer. This act of crying out signifies a deep, earnest plea for divine intervention. Asa's relationship with God is personal, as indicated by "his God," showing a covenantal bond. This reflects the biblical principle of seeking God in times of trouble, as seen in other scriptures like Psalm 50:15.

O LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless against the mighty:
Asa acknowledges God's unique ability to deliver and protect. This phrase emphasizes God's sovereignty and omnipotence, a recurring theme in the Old Testament. The powerless versus the mighty highlights the biblical motif of God siding with the humble and oppressed, as seen in David's victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 17).

Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You:
Asa's plea for help is rooted in trust and dependence on God. The phrase "we rely on You" underscores the faith of Judah in God's providence. This reliance is a central tenet of faith, echoed in Proverbs 3:5-6, which calls believers to trust in the Lord with all their heart.

and in Your name we have come against this multitude:
The battle is approached not in human strength but under the authority and power of God's name. This reflects the biblical understanding of acting in God's name as invoking His presence and power, similar to how David approached Goliath in the name of the Lord (1 Samuel 17:45).

O LORD, You are our God:
This declaration reaffirms the covenant relationship between God and His people. It is a statement of identity and belonging, echoing the covenant language found throughout the Old Testament, such as in Exodus 6:7, where God promises to be their God.

Do not let a mere mortal prevail against You:
Asa's prayer concludes with a request for God to demonstrate His power over human forces. The phrase "mere mortal" contrasts human frailty with divine strength. This reflects the biblical theme of God's ultimate authority over creation, as seen in passages like Isaiah 40:23, which speaks of God reducing rulers to nothing.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Asa
The king of Judah who sought to follow the Lord and led his people in a time of religious reform and reliance on God.

2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, over which Asa reigned, known for its fluctuating faithfulness to God.

3. Zerah the Cushite
The leader of a vast army that came against Judah, representing a formidable threat.

4. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, whom Asa calls upon for deliverance.

5. The Battle
The impending conflict between Judah and the Cushite army, highlighting the need for divine intervention.

Teaching Points

Dependence on God
Asa's prayer is a model of complete reliance on God, acknowledging human weakness and divine strength.

Prayer in Crisis
In times of overwhelming challenges, turning to God in prayer should be our first response.

God's Sovereignty
Recognizing that God is in control and can deliver us from any situation, no matter how dire.

Faith in Action
Asa's faith was not passive; he actively sought God's help and led his people in His name.

Victory in God's Name
True victory comes not from human might but through the power and authority of God's name.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Asa's prayer in 2 Chronicles 14:11 demonstrate his understanding of God's character and power?

2. In what ways can Asa's reliance on God inspire us to face our own "Cushite armies" or overwhelming challenges today?

3. How does Asa's approach to prayer compare to other biblical figures who faced insurmountable odds, such as David or Daniel?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure that our first response in a crisis is to seek God's help, as Asa did?

5. How can we apply the principle of "relying on God" in our daily lives, especially when facing decisions or challenges that seem beyond our control?

Connections to Other Scriptures

1 Samuel 17
David's reliance on God against Goliath mirrors Asa's dependence on God against overwhelming odds.

Psalm 20:7
The theme of trusting in the name of the Lord rather than in human strength or resources.

Isaiah 31:1
A warning against relying on human power instead of seeking the Lord's help.

Philippians 4:13
The New Testament affirmation of strength through Christ, paralleling Asa's reliance on God.

James 5:16
The power of a righteous person's prayer, as exemplified by Asa's earnest plea.