Asa was described as one who “was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God” (2 Chron. 14:2). He was the great-grandson of Solomon, the grandson of Rehoboam, and the son of Abijah. It had been many years since a good and faithful king had reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was not faithful to the ways of God (2 Chron. 12:1). His son Abijah followed his example and did evil before the Lord (cf. 1 Kings 15:3). Then Asa reigned after him, but Asa wasn’t like the others. He removed the false god worship sites (2 Chron. 14:3, 5). He commanded that all Judah serve the Lord (2 Chron. 14:4). He reminded Judah that they owned the land because God gave it to them and they should be faithful to Him (2 Chron. 14:7). Even when a great opponent challenged Judah, with an army of a million men and 300 chariots (2 Chron. 14:9), Asa relied on God for deliverance (2 Chron. 14:11). God heard his prayer and saved Judah by defeating the Ethiopians and delivering plunder into their hands (2 Chron. 14:12-15). 

Such a powerful reminder to the exiles who returned to a broken nation. If they would take an Asa attitude, God would still be with them. They must leave behind the false gods and come fully to the true and living God. Instead of rebuilding the high places in Judah, they must rebuild true religion. The land was being returned to them, or rather they were being returned to the land; they must return to God. Just as it had been in Asa’s day, no adversary could overpower God’s people or unseat their King; they must be faithful to Him and cry out to Him for deliverance. He delivered them from exile, they must be faithful to Him. There could hardly be a more comforting and hope-filled message than that. As they returned to their homeland, they must have an Asa attitude.