With Whole Desire

“Azariah… went to Asa and said: ‘The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you… Take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.‘

“As soon as Asa heard these words,.. he took courage and put away the detestable idols from all the land.., and he repaired the altar of the Lord… And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who were residing with them, for great numbers had deserted to him from Israel when they saw that the Lord was with him…They sacrificed to the Lord on that day 700 oxen and 7,000 sheep. And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul…  They swore an oath to the Lord with a loud voice and with shouting and with trumpets and with horns. And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all around.

“Even Maacah, his mother, King Asa removed from being queen mother because she had made a detestable image for Asherah. Asa cut down her image, crushed it, and burned it at the brook Kidron… The heart of Asa was wholly true all his days. And he brought into the house of God the sacred gifts of his father and his own sacred gifts, silver, and gold, and vessels.” 2 Chronicles 15:1-2,7-9,11-12,14-18

As soon as Asa heard these words, Immanuel, God with Asa, moved him to act swiftly and significantly. There is nothing stopping the power of a leader with whole desire for the Lord, both to direct his kingdom and to motivate his people. His whole heart put into action made for great praise, renewed commitment, and a joyous whole heart and soul for God in Judah.

The Spirit of God runs like electricity through the words of God, igniting His ready listeners to new desire that manifests in inspired, righteous action. With Him, we find courage and strength to banish idols, repair worship, and attract others to the Lord. Knowing His sacrifice- sending His Son to earth as Savior- we are compelled to sacrifice greatly for Him.

Immanuel is come. What does this mean for today, and the days to come? What difference does Christ make in our grudges, shadows, and weaknesses? In our worship, leadership, our every action, even hard things? How whole is our heart and desire for Him?

“O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.

O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who ordered all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show
and teach us in its ways to go.

O come, O Bright and Morning Star,
and bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night
and turn our darkness into light.

O come, O King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
and be yourself our King of Peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.” ~J.M. Neale (1851)

Lord, keep my heart whole to rejoice in and reflect You, so You are desired and exalted.