The Eyes Of The Lord Search….

Pride, guilt, and shame all play a role in our downfall. When we make irresponsible decisions, and the outcome isn’t favorable, we tend to act in ways unbecoming of being a believer. Asa did this here in 2 Chronicles 16. This section of scripture contains one of my favorite verses in all of scripture (v9), however Asa shows us what happens when we are on the opposite side of “being fully committed” to the Lord. Asa’s pride kept him in a place where he didn’t seek the Lord. His “hiring out protection” from the king of Aram was a mistake. When he was confronted with this error, instead of repenting and restoring his relationship with God (exactly what He expects us to do), he chose to act on his own in foolishness. It caused the prophet Hanai to be imprisoned, which was pure evidence of Asa’s pride. How often do we allow our pride to take over? How often do we allow guilt and shame to keep us from doing what God wants us to do? How often do we run from God (proving our sinful behavior), instead of acting with a heart of contrition and running to the Only One that can make things right? God wants us to be faithful to Him. And we do it by trusting Him in all circumstances, not just the ones that we pick and choose. God is constantly looking to strengthen the hearts of those fully dedicated to Him. What will He find with you today?

7 At that time Hanani the seer came to King Asa and told him, “Because you have put your trust in the king of Aram instead of in the Lord your God, you missed your chance to destroy the army of the king of Aram. 8 Don’t you remember what happened to the Ethiopians and Libyans and their vast army, with all of their chariots and charioteers? At that time you relied on the Lord, and He handed them over to you. 9 The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war.”10 Asa became so angry with Hanani for saying this that he threw him into prison and put him in stocks. At that time Asa also began to oppress some of his people. 2 Chronicles 16:7-10