What’s the best age in life? According to one survey, it’s 35. This is because by 35 years old, many people have reached milestones like buying a house, finding a spouse, and having a first child while still having several years to go before reaching the peak of their career. So, at 35, it’s expected that individuals will have achieved stability in life with hopes of more success in the future.
Speaking of 35 years, that’s also the number of years Asa had achieved success as king. When the powerful Ethiopian army attacked Judah, he trusted in God to deliver him and his people from the enemies—and He did! (2 Chronicles 14:9-12). Asa was faithful to his God, and there was peace in the land (2 Chronicles 15:19).
But something changed after year 35.
“In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign, King Baasha of Israel invaded Judah and fortified Ramah in order to prevent anyone from entering or leaving King Asa’s territory in Judah” (2 Chronicles 16:1). This time, Asa responded by trusting in human resources rather than in the Lord. And even though he was called out for his wrong choice, he remained unrepentant. He “also began to oppress some of his people” (2 Chronicles 16:10).
What happened? Perhaps, during the 35 years of peace, Asa allowed success to go to his head. Perhaps he’d begun to think he had no need for God and could handle trouble on his own. Maybe he’d become rigid in his role as king and had reached the point where nobody could give him advice.
Regardless of what went wrong, this truth is clear: No matter how old we are or how important we’ve become, we never outgrow our need to rely on God. May we remember to praise Him in our victories, trust Him in our trials, and rest in His wisdom.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 9:28-45
More:
Read Psalm 18:2 and consider what it means to rely completely on God and not your own devices.
Next:
Are there areas in your life where you’ve stopped depending on God? What does it mean for you to rely on Him in all things?
Gary Shultz on July 23, 2016 at 3:55 am
Hi Poh, I don’t think I always figured it this way, but the best age is how old you are now. I would never really want to go back, I’m going somewhere my Father has prepared. If we have not grown along the way shame on us. As the years have rolled way past 35, there are some problems with original equipment. I find I must depend on God more, which I should have been doing more. Yes life does roll when we are younger, I’m glad for a few miles, to realize what I didn’t when I was younger. Thanks Poh
hsnpoor on July 23, 2016 at 8:11 pm
I love your comment, Gary! Spoken like a man who is growing older with wisdom and grace, rather than the so many around us who are just getting old (I’m not calling any names). Blessings to you today! It’s late in the afternoon, my time, on the West Coast. Where is everybody in our ODJ forum today? Poh Fang, you know when I read these daily devotions, I try to guess who the writer might be before they are identified at the end. I guessed right today! This devotion has your name written all over it. Thank you for sharing!
Gary Shultz on July 24, 2016 at 7:59 am
Thanks Kim, you have been so often very kind, like my buddy Jim. Even though you are the whole continent (east coast / west coast) away, and I am not nearly as chatty as most, you have been a friend.