2 Chronicles 16:9
“For the eyes of the LORD roam throughout the earth, so that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will have wars.”
The first few verses of the chapter has the king of Israel acting in a threatening way toward the kingdom of Judah. So, king Asa gives riches to an ally to come and help. He does so and the threat is eliminated. Then comes todays verse.
The kings error was that he didn’t consult the Lord. Proverbs 3:5,6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” We are to acknowledge Him in all our ways. Not just when we are desperate. All the time.
Sometimes it’s not wrong to look to an ally, but we are to seek God and His counsel first. If we are leaning towards an ally, pray, “Lord, I’m considering teaming up with this nation. Is that a bad idea? Do You have another plan? If so, give us wisdom.”
Who are we trusting in? Ourselves, our allies, or numerous other sources. We are to trust God. This is getting back to one of the commandments, “I am the Lord, thy God. You shall have not gods before me.”
The trials of life bring out what we are trusting in. Just as in today’s passage. The threatening neighbor showed that king Asa wasn’t trusting God. We daily face situations in which we need some sort of solution. We seek to resolve it ourselves most of the time. That’s fine. However we are to obey the proverbs passage mentioned. “Acknowledge Him in all your ways.” Give it to Him. Even if it doesn’t seem to be a big issue. Acknowledge Him.
The prophet said, “For the eyes of the LORD roam throughout the earth, so that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” None of us are perfect. Ask Him for help. Ask Him to make our hearts His. I very much appreciate the father who said this in Mark 9:24, ‘Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”’ God put that in the bible to encourage us. We struggle with much doubt.
As was said the trials of life bring out if we are trusting God. A paraphrase of a truth is “The same sun that hardens clay softens butter.” How do we respond to difficulties? Do they harden us or soften us? If we include the Lord, then it is softening us. Look to Him. Ask Him for wisdom. Ask Him to assist us in it to make us better.
Some may look at this passage and think that God is looking throughout the world with a critical eye. Not so. It’s with mercy and a desire to help. Matthew 12:20 says, “A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory.” If He sees a slight spark in someone, He fans it to get the fire going.
Lord, You have helped us many times. You have taken the struggling engine and fired it to life. Continue to do so. Thank You for this. Help us to have a heart towards You.