Contemplative Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 16:9a (New Living Translation)

9 The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

This is part of the (hi)story of the kings of Judah. Asa is the king in Judah. He made a treaty with the king of Aram to help fight Israel. The treaty worked! Well, sort of. Asa had depended on Jehovah God. Then he depended on another person instead. Oops.

The above verse was stated by Hanani the seer (great job title). Simply, “God saw what you did. God sees what everyone does. God strengthens those who are committed to God.” Asa was no longer committed to God. Things went badly thereafter.

There are several messages in the sentence above. One is that God sees. Can’t hide from God. Another is that God sees for a reason. It isn’t just to be the super big brother with cameras everywhere. God sees so that God can strengthen some people. God strengthens the people who commit their hearts to God.

This is a matter of heart, of faith, of belief. It isn’t a matter of who lifts the most weights at the gym or let’s the other fella’ in during heavy traffic. It is whose heart is committed to God. I can be a billionaire or homeless. That doesn’t determine my heart towards God. I determine that in any circumstance.

God, please help me to commit my heart to you everyday.