For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. -2 Chronicles 16:9
The verse pierced my heart and left me feeling completely undone! I don’t remember what lead me to it this morning, but as I turned the page and read it, I think my heart skipped a beat and I just knew that God had a message for me. I hope you are encouraged and challenged by it. To understand what God is saying in this verse, it is important to know the context in which it was written.
In 1Kings 15:9-24, we read about the reign of Asa, King of Judah. We are told that he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, expelling male shrine prostitutes, getting rid of idols his father had made, and even deposing his grandmother from her role as the queen mother because she made a repulsive Asherah pole. His heart was committed to the Lord and the Lord gave him success in battles against mighty armies because he relied on Him. However, many years into his reign, a war broke out between him and Baasha, king of Israel, and rather than relying on God, who had always come through for him, Asa sought success and protection by establishing a treaty with Ben-Hadad, king of Aram as his father had previously done.
Although King Asa’s plan seemed to be successful, it was soon condemned by a prophet, Hanani, as a foolish act and denial of reliance on the Lord. The prophet spoke the verse above to him. In the latter years of his reign, King Asa was stricken by a disease in his feet, and again, rather than seeking help from the Lord, he relied only on physicians until he died.
As I read about the reign of King Asa, I could not help but realize that my own heart had not been fully committed to the Lord either. I always claimed to wholeheartedly trust and rely on Him, but in reality, whenever I faced challenges, I often looked to my own strength and devices, manipulating situations and establishing “treaties” with people that I thought could aid me in my agenda. As the eyes of the Lord ranged the earth looking to strengthen those whose hearts were fully committed to Him, I am grateful that He noticed my pitiful heart this morning and is able and willing to help me get my heart to a place of full commitment.
2 Chronicles 16:9 seriously convicted me, and I know that this was the work of the Holy Spirit, not to make me feel guilty or condemned, but to renew my mind so that through His strength, I could be transformed and equipped to live out the Father’s good and perfect will for my life. It also served to remind me that contrary to what I often believed, God is not aloof and uninterested in our lives here on earth, but is actually actively seeking out faithful believers to strengthen. He wants us to remain fully committed to Him so that He can strengthen us through trials and whatever challenges we might face. What a blessing this is for us all!
How comforting it is to know that the God that delivered, strengthened, protected, and loved His children throughout Scripture still longs to do the same for us even today! Will you fully commit your hearts to Him today?
Grace and peace be with you.
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THE FULLY COMMITTED HEART