GodReflection: God Breaks In Monday

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9

Recently, I read anew the story of good king Asa the fifth king from the house of David to ruled Juda.

He got off to an admiral start as king. Reform upon reform he led his kingdom to honor the ways of Creator God.

In a tight spot on the battlefield he faced impossible odds against combined armies about to descend upon the small forces of Juda. Certain annihilation was in the forecast. The good king called upon God who answered with miraculous victory.

The Chronicler records God’s message to the king after the Almighty’s victory:

The Spirit of God came on Azariah son of Oded. He went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you . . . But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” . . . There was no more war until the thirty-fifth year of Asa’s reign ( 2 Chronicles 15: 1-2, 7, 19).

As Asa got the hang of kingship self-reliance set in. His head got bigger than his heart. He lost his “good king” rating.

Once again the battle lines came to Asa’s gate. This time he could handle it alone—so he reasoned.

From his own wealth and by misappropriation of funds from the Lord’s temple he purchases the aid of a pagan army.

Asa, the army of Juda, and his hired swords met defeat.

God’s man Hanani met Asa with a rebuke:

“Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen? Yet when you relied on the Lord, he delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.” (2 Chronicles 16: 7-9).

Here’s what I think.

God’s heart hasn’t changed. He still looks across the face of His earth and seeks hearts fully committed to Him.

That’s a big thought—sort of like how long is eternity?

God stays connected to his creation.

Two images come to mind.

From His Holy heavens God views each and every individual. Like a night photo from space dark hearts recede to the back ground while fully committed hearts twinkle as a bright reflective light. Those heart-lights delight the Father.

God is also the Holy Physician. He is in such close tune with his creation that he rests the tips of His fingers upon the pulse of each person. His sensitive fingers perceive heartbeats kin to His own.

His Holy Spirit flows through kindred hearts to strengthen each one.

The only way I can go about my assigned task of glowing off particles of grace along my earth walk is to receive consistent power from the heart of God to strengthen my steps.

King Asa learned to his destruction that the self-reliant are plugged into the wrong heart—one not fully committed to the power source. 

I want to submit a fully committed heart that will be receptive to the God of Love who breaks in and supplies His strength.

Stay tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells – A GodReflection on God Breaks In To Strengthen Fully Committed Hearts.

Gary@Godreflection.org     www.MakeYourVisionGoViral.com