What God Sees
The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
2 Chronicles 16:9
Early in the morning, I quietly pad past a family-room window overlooking a wilderness area behind our house. Often, I notice a hawk or owl perched in a tree, keeping watch over the area. One morning I was surprised to find a bald eagle boldly balanced on a high branch, surveying the terrain as if the entire expanse belonged to him. Likely he was watching for “breakfast.” His all-inclusive gaze seemed regal.
In 2 Chronicles 16, Hanani the seer (God’s prophet) informed a king that his actions were under a royal gaze. He told Asa, king of Judah, “You relied on the king of Aram and not on the Lord your God” (v. 7). Then Hanani explained, “The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (v. 9). Because of Asa’s misplaced dependence, he would always be at war.
Reading these words, we might get the false sense that God watches our every move so He can pounce on us like a bird of prey. But Hanani’s words focus on the positive. His point is that our God continually watches and waits for us to call on Him when we’re in need.
Like my backyard bald eagle, how might God’s eyes be roaming our world—even now—looking to find faithfulness in you and me? How might He provide the hope and help we need?
By Elisa Morgan
REFLECT & PRAY
O God, may You strengthen our hearts that we might be fully committed to You.
Why is it vital for you to regularly look to God for direction and guidance? How does it encourage you to know that God awaits your calls for help?
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INSIGHT
Because of Solomon’s unfaithfulness (1 Kings 11:4-11), his kingdom was divided into two. Jeroboam, Solomon’s servant, ruled the northern kingdom of Israel (11:28-31), and Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, ruled the southern kingdom of Judah (14:21). Asa, the third king of Judah and Solomon’s great-grandson (2 Chronicles 12:16; 14:1), “did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord” (14:2) and instituted many religious reforms (chs. 14-15). But when war broke out between him and King Baasha of Israel, Asa turned to Syria for help instead of trusting God (16:1-3). God’s prophet Hanani rebuked Asa’s lack of faith, reminding him that God had previously rescued Judah from even more powerful enemies (12:1-12; 14:9-15). Asa refused to repent, and three years later God afflicted him with a severe foot disease. Still “he did not seek help from the Lord” (16:10-12). Asa died an unrepentant man. K. T. Sim
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