“Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did his father David… he removed Maachah his grandmother from being queen mother, because she had made an obscene image of Asherah… But the high places were not removed.”
(1 Kings 15:11-14)
Asa, king of Judah, was a reformer, committed to purging his land of idolatry. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord—dismissing even his own grandmother from her royal position because of her idolatrous practices. He tore down altars to false gods and sought to bring Judah into alignment with the worship of the one true God. His zeal for righteousness was commendable, and yet, Scripture records a sobering reality: “But the high places were not removed.”
The high places were remnants of idolatry, shrines where false worship had flourished. Though Asa was faithful in many ways, he left these places intact. Thus his reforms were incomplete. This detail in the biblical record serves as a warning: righteousness must be pursued with thoroughness. Partial obedience is not true obedience. Even a little compromise can leave the door open for sin to return and take hold once again.
Scripture warns that it is often “the little foxes that spoil the vines” (Song of Solomon 2:15). The remnants of sin that we fail to remove—the unchecked affections, the lingering indulgences, the secret reservations—can become stumbling blocks in our walk with God. When we tolerate even a shadow of idolatry in our hearts, we risk allowing it to regain dominion over us.
The New Testament reminds us that our sanctification is a lifelong process (Hebrews 9:10); the lifelong process of becoming holy.[1] Though we are fully justified in Christ, our transformation into holiness is progressive. Like Asa, we may remove the visible signs of sin while leaving remnants of it in hidden places. We must therefore be relentless in our pursuit of holiness, striving to bring every thought, every affection, and every desire into submission to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
True reformation begins in the heart. It is not enough to rid ourselves of sin externally; we must also demolish the strongholds of idolatry that remain within. We must not merely destroy the idols but tear down the high places that gave them refuge. Partial obedience is not sufficient; we must serve the Lord with an undivided heart.
Contemplations:
- The Call to Complete Obedience. Asa did much to reform Judah, but he left the high places standing. This story reminds us that the Lord desires full surrender, not just a partial commitment. I must consider my own heart to see if I have torn down the idols in my life while leaving the structures that support them.
- Reformation Begins at Home. Asa’s devotion was evident in that he removed idolatry even from his own household. He did not let family ties stand in the way of righteousness. True devotion to God requires the courage to uphold His truth, even in the face of personal loss or relational strain. Do I have the courage to stand for what is right, even when it costs me, or do I make excuses for compromise in my home, my relationships, or my private life?
- The Danger of Unbelief. Though Asa trusted God in many ways, he later formed alliances with worldly kings out of fear. Faith is easy when the path is smooth, but it becomes harder to trust God when we’re afraid. And yet that subsequent unbelief paves the way for worldly thinking, leading to compromise, self-reliance, and spiritual decline. Am I leaning on the wisdom of the world instead of trusting wholly in God, especially in my difficult times?
- Finishing Well. Many believers begin their race with great zeal, only to falter as time goes on. Asa started strong, but his later years were marked by reliance on worldly power instead of faith in God. The lesson I can learn from this is that a strong beginning does not guarantee a strong finish. I must be careful to guard my heart against complacency and strive to remain faithful until the end by seeking Christ daily and walking in obedience to His Word.
Prayer
O Lord, You alone are worthy of worship, for You are high above all the earth. You rule over nations, kings, and kingdoms, and none can stand against Your sovereign will. You call Your people to holiness, to be set apart for Your glory. You have redeemed me, Lord, and I am Yours. Let my life be a testimony to Your power and grace.
Yet I confess, Father, that I have not been thorough in my obedience. There are high places still standing in my heart—remnants of sin that I have tolerated. I have sought to rid my life of iniquity, yet I have allowed small compromises to remain. I have been content with outward reform when You desire inner transformation. Lord, forgive me for clinging to things that keep me from full devotion to You. Help me tear down the high places in my life that I may worship You in spirit and in truth.
Thank You for Your patience and mercy, Lord. You have not cast me away despite my failures. You called me to Yourself and have given me the righteousness of Christ. Though I am weak, You are strong. Though I stumble, Your grace is sufficient. Thank You for Your Spirit who convicts, sanctifies, and empowers me to walk in obedience.
Father, I ask that You grant me the courage to remove every obstacle that hinders my walk with You. Let me not make peace with sin but rather destroy it. Let me not be satisfied with partial obedience but seek to follow You wholeheartedly. Strengthen my faith, that I may trust in You alone and not in the ways of the world. Keep my heart from drifting, that I may remain steadfast to the end.
Lord, help me finish well. May my life be marked by faithfulness, not by compromise. May I stand firm in righteousness, trusting You in all things. May my obedience be complete, that I may bring glory to Your name.
In Christ’s name, Amen.
Further References for 1 Kings 15:11-14
1 Kings 14:24; 1 Kings 22:46; 2 Chronicles 15:8; Deuteronomy 23:17; 1 Kings 11:7; Romans 1:26
[1] Tabletalk Magazine, May 1998: “You Say Rightly, I Am a King” (Lake Mary, FL: Ligonier Ministries, 1998), 28.
