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The great truth taught us in this verse is — that afflictions, in their measure, nature, and duration, result neither from chance nor necessity, nor second causes, but primarily from the wise, sovereign, and righteous appointment of the Eternal.

I. ASA'S DISEASE. The former part of this verse mentions what this disease was — "And Asa in the thirty, and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great." Commentators suppose that this disease in his feet was the gout, and that it was a just punishment for putting the prophet's feet in the stocks. How varied the disease to which human nature is liable.

1. The person afflicted — Asa the king. This circumstance teaches us that when the Almighty wills afflictions, none can escape them — no, not even kings. When kings commit evil they must expect to be punished as well as others. King Jehoram sinned against the Lord, and the Lord visited him with a disease in his bowels. King Uzziah transgressed the Lord's commandments, and the Lord smote him with leprosy: "And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a separate house, being a leper." Asa was diseased in his feet. Honours, riches, power shield us not from disease. When God gives the commission, afflictions enter the palace as well as the meanest hut.

2. The violence of Asa's disorder. "His disease was exceeding great." Sometimes we think our trials very heavy; but when compared with those of others we find them light. Hence, if your case is very painful, it is not singular.

3. The period of its continuance. Asa was diseased in his feet two years. When the Lord afflicts us for a month, a week, yea, sometimes, when we are in pain only one day, we think it a long time. But how short the period of our pains when compared with others! It might have lasted for many years.

II. ASA'S DUTY. When it is said that Asa sought not unto the Lord, it implies that he ought to have done so.

1. The purposes for which you should seek unto the Lord in your afflictions. The advice which Eliphaz gave to Job in his affliction was most excellent, and is suitable to us on all occasions: "Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. I would seek unto God, and unto God would commit my cause." The afflicted should seek unto God, in disease, that they may know its design. "Shew me," prays Job, "wherefore Thou contendest with me." The Lord's way, both in mercy and in judgment, is in the sea, and His footsteps, oftentimes, are not seen. Since, therefore, none can give us the information we need but God Himself, and since also it is so important for us to know the design of Our trials, let us not do as Asa did, but as Eliphaz recommends — seek unto God. When diseases visit us we should seek unto God, that He would give us grace to sustain them. None but He who lays these burdens on our shoulders can sustain us under them. That these visitations may be duly improved is another end we should propose in seeking unto the Lord. God should be sought unto in affliction, that He may remove them. The Lord should be sought unto in sickness, that His righteousness in afflicting may be devoutly acknowledged.

2. The manner in which God should be approached unto in these circumstances. First, in faith — the Christian must exercise faith in his heavenly Father's providence, promises, and revealed character. Secondly, in humility — the Christian has merited all he endures, and has nothing of his own to plead. Thirdly, with resignation.

3. Some reasons why the Lord should be sought unto may be specified.

(1) The manifest propriety of the thing itself. Unto whom should the servant go in his distress but unto the master?

(2) The absolute dependence of the creature on God shows the importance and reasonableness. On God's will depends our health and sickness, adversity and prosperity, joys and sorrows.

(3) These means are Divinely appointed, consequently we cannot neglect them without considerable danger to our souls. "For this thing will I be inquired of by the house of Israel, that I may do it for them."(4) The example of all good men — David, Job, Paul, and others, when in distress, sought unto the Lord in prayer: this was their uniform practice; and, indeed, prayer is the best plaster for all our wounds.

III. ASA'S SIN. Asa's sin is a common sin — the way of the multitude, Asa's sin was a great sin — he put the creature before the Creator. Asa's sin, unrepented of, is a ruinous sin. " Shall I not visit for these things, saith the Lord?" Asa's conduct arises from many causes.

1. Ignorance. Sin has so darkened the mind that many have no right views of their relation to God.

2. Inattention. Some know these things, yet give them little or no serious attention. God is neither in all their ways nor in all their thoughts.

3. Independence. Sin has made man so proud that, if it were possible, he would do without God altogether.

4. Presumption. Many expect health, ease, and success without God's assistance.

5. Unbelief. Multitudes have no vital faith in God, His Word, nor in the necessity, efficacy, and advantages of prayer.Learn from this subject —

1. Means may be used, but we must be careful not to abuse them.

2. The best of men do not always keep in the same gracious frame of mind. Compare 2 Chronicles 14:2 with the text, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."

3. The same sins that were prevalent in Asa's day are prevalent now.

(H. Hollis.)

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KJV: And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.

WEB: In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet; his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he didn't seek Yahweh, but to the physicians.