2 Chronicles 16:9? A Clue to God's Strategic Will

 2 Chronicles 16:9. It says:

"For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His."

This verse emphasizes God's willingness to support and strengthen those who are fully devoted to Him. This seems like a promise with a condition added to it. The promise is that God will show Himself strong or provide strong support, but the condition is that it is for those whose hearts are completely or fully devoted to Him. This aligns with the broader biblical principle that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him and remain loyal to Him.

This promise can be encouraging as it highlights the intimate relationship between God and His people, showing that His strength and support are available to those who are committed to Him. It underscores the importance of wholehearted devotion and trust in God's faithfulness and power.

For those whose hearts are not completely devoted to God, the context of 2 Chronicles 16:9 suggests that they miss out on the special support and strength that God promises to those who are fully loyal to Him. In the broader biblical narrative, a divided heart can lead to consequences such as lack of divine protection, guidance, and blessings. However, the Bible also emphasizes God's mercy, grace, and willingness to forgive and restore those who turn back to Him. Verses like… 

1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 

This shows that even if someone’s heart is not fully committed, there is always the opportunity for repentance and restoration.

With further thought, "the eyes of the Lord run to and fro" makes me think God is eager to find such a person but unable to. The context of 2 Chronicles 16:9 is crucial to understanding its deeper meaning. This verse is part of the story of King Asa of Judah, found in 2 Chronicles 14-16. Let's look at the broader narrative:

King Asa's Early Reign (2 Chronicles 14-15)

• Faithfulness to God: Asa began his reign well. He did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord. He removed foreign altars and high places, broke down sacred pillars, and cut down Asherah poles.

• Victory Through Trust: When Zerah the Ethiopian came against Judah with a massive army, Asa sought the Lord. God granted him a great victory because Asa relied on Him.

• Covenant Renewal: After the victory, Asa and the people entered into a covenant to seek the Lord with all their heart and soul. God gave them peace and prosperity as long as they were faithful.

King Asa's Later Reign (2 Chronicles 16)

• Reliance on Human Help: In his later years, Asa faced another threat, this time from Baasha, king of Israel. Instead of seeking the Lord as he had previously, Asa sought help from Ben-Hadad, king of Syria, and made a treaty with him.

• Rebuke and Consequence: The prophet Hanani rebuked Asa for relying on the king of Syria instead of God. Hanani reminded Asa of God's past faithfulness and stated that because of his lack of reliance on God, he would face wars.

• Asa's Response: Asa responded poorly to the rebuke, becoming angry and imprisoning the prophet. He also oppressed some of the people.

2 Chronicles 16:9 in Context

• Divine Perspective: "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him." This statement underscores God’s eagerness to support those who are fully devoted to Him.

• Failure of Asa: The verse highlights Asa's failure to fully rely on God in his later years. Despite God’s willingness and eagerness to support him, Asa turned to human alliances, demonstrating a lack of complete devotion and trust.

• Lesson for Believers: The broader message is a call for unwavering trust in God. It serves as a reminder that God is actively seeking those who are fully committed to Him to demonstrate His power and faithfulness.

The narrative about King Asa emphasizes the importance of consistent and wholehearted devotion to God. It illustrates that God is eager to show His strength on behalf of those who trust Him fully, but also warns of the consequences of turning away and relying on human solutions instead of divine help. This story encourages maintaining faith and reliance on God in all circumstances.

This reminds me of something I've been thinking about concerning God's grace. It seems to me that anything accomplished outside of God's grace is “wood hay and stubble.” This idea aligns closely with biblical teaching, particularly the idea that true, lasting accomplishments are those rooted in God's grace and done for His glory. This concept is vividly illustrated in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, where Paul talks about the quality of each person's work being tested by fire:

"If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames."

Key Points in Relation to God's Grace:

1. Foundation in Christ: The foundation of all lasting work is Jesus Christ. Anything built on another foundation is inherently unstable and impermanent.

2. Quality of Work: The materials used (gold, silver, costly stones versus wood, hay, straw) symbolize the quality and eternal value of one's works. Works done in the flesh, outside of God's grace, are akin to wood, hay, and stubble and will not endure.

3. Testing by Fire: This metaphor suggests that God will evaluate our works, and only those done in alignment with His will and by His grace will survive. This aligns with the idea that actions outside of God's grace are ultimately futile and transient.

4. Reward and Loss: There is a reward for works done through God's grace and strength. Conversely, even though a person may be saved, there is a loss associated with works that do not endure.

Practical Implications:

• Dependence on God: Emphasizing radical dependence on God's grace in all aspects of life and ministry aligns with the teaching that true, enduring accomplishments come through Him.

• Intent and Motivation: It's crucial to examine the motivations behind our actions. Are we seeking to glorify God and relying on His strength, or are we acting out of self-reliance and for personal gain?

• Faithfulness: Being faithful in small things and doing them with a heart devoted to God is valuable. It's not merely the scale of the work but the heart and reliance on God’s grace that counts.

Encouragement:

Embracing the mindset that everything accomplished outside of God's grace is temporary encourages believers to live lives of radical dependence, ensuring that their efforts are aligned with God's will and empowered by His Spirit. This perspective fosters humility, trust, and a deeper relationship with God, focusing on eternal, lasting impact rather than fleeting, earthly success.

I'm reminded of the scripture that says "all the promises find their yes in Christ".

2 Corinthians 1:20. "For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory." (ESV)

This verse beautifully encapsulates the completeness and sufficiency of Christ in God's plan and encourages believers to rest in the certainty of God's promises through Him.

Context and Meaning:

1. Christ as the Fulfillment: This verse highlights that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all God's promises. Through Him, every promise God made to His people is affirmed and realized.

2. Our Response: The verse also underscores our response of "Amen," which means "so be it" or "truly." This signifies our agreement and trust in God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises through Christ.

3. Glorifying God: The ultimate purpose of these fulfilled promises and our response is to bring glory to God. It reflects the relationship between divine initiative and human response in the context of God's redemptive plan.

Application:

• Trust in God's Promises: Believers can have confidence that all of God's promises are reliable and fulfilled in Jesus. This provides a solid foundation for faith and trust in God's word.

• Living in Christ: Understanding that all promises are "Yes" in Christ encourages believers to live in close relationship with Him, aligning their lives with His purposes and experiencing the fullness of God's blessings.

• Gratitude and Worship: Recognizing Christ as the fulfillment of God's promises leads to a heart of gratitude and worship, acknowledging God's faithfulness and grace.

So what does it mean to be "in Christ". I think the answer is that Christ is not just Savior, He also needs to be Lord. It is "In Christ" that encompasses a comprehensive relationship with Jesus, as both Savior and Lord and is foundational to the Christian faith. This comprehensive relationship is the foundation of “God's Strategic Will” for every believer who has been born again of the Holy Spirit.

Let's explore what it means to be "in Christ":

1.  Union with Christ:

• Salvation: Being "in Christ" begins with salvation, where through faith, we are united with Christ in His death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5). This means we share in His victory over sin and death.

• New Identity: As believers, we receive a new identity in Christ. We are no longer defined by our past sins or failures but by our relationship with Him (2 Corinthians 5:17).

2.  Lordship of Christ:

• Surrender and Obedience: Recognizing Christ as Lord involves surrendering our will to His and committing to obey His commands (Luke 6:46). It means allowing Him to lead and guide every aspect of our lives.

• Transformation: As Lord, Christ transforms us through the renewing of our minds, conforming us to His image (Romans 12:1-2). This ongoing process involves growing in holiness and character.

3.  Living in Christ:

• Abiding in Him: Jesus emphasizes the importance of abiding in Him, like branches connected to the vine, to bear fruit (John 15:4-5). This abiding relationship involves daily fellowship, prayer, and dependence on Him.

• Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: Being "in Christ" means living by the power of the Holy Spirit, who enables us to overcome sin, live righteously, and fulfill God’s purposes (Galatians 5:16-25).

4.  Participation in God's Mission:

• Ambassadors for Christ: As those "in Christ," we are called to be His ambassadors, sharing the message of reconciliation and making disciples (2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Matthew 28:18-20).

• Good Works: We are created in Christ for good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). This means using our gifts and talents to serve others and advance God's kingdom.

5.  Strategic Will of God:

• Knowing and Being: Understanding who we are in Christ shapes our being and doing. Knowing our identity in Him allows us to operate in the fullness of God’s guidance, provision, and care.

• Radical Dependence: God's strategic will involves radical dependence on Him, trusting His initiative and responding with obedience. This dependence is cultivated through a deep, personal relationship with Jesus.

Conclusion:

To be "in Christ" is to embrace Him as both Savior and Lord, living out our new identity through surrender, obedience, and a deep, abiding relationship. It means participating in God's mission and relying on His grace and strength. This comprehensive understanding is indeed the foundation of God’s strategic will for every believer, guiding us to walk in the fullness of His purposes.

Radical Dependence

John 25:5 New Living Translation

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

The promise attained?

Remember when you gave your life to Christ? All the promises find their yes in Him. The promise of God motivates obedience. Obedience is a path of discovery and growth. Then you obtain what was promised. Your motivation fades. You rely on what you know. You trust in your own understanding. And God waits patiently.

You’ve “attained”. Gone is the need to “trust in the Lord with all your heart” Your love for God becomes gratefulness and dependence fades away. You are thankful but your seeking heart subsides. Self-will dominates your thoughts. You have yet to learn God’s love for you is revealed in not what he can give you but in His desire to be with you. For you to know Him, and for Him to know you.

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 

Matthew 7:23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

Paul said...

Phil. 3:10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead.

A promise to restore what was lost? The enemy can fulfill such a promise.

The promise of eternal life is fulfilled only "In Christ."

John 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and

Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

The Mind of Christ through the Holy Spirit

The Mind of Christ?

Perspective, insight, understanding, knowledge, wisdom, and ability, all through the Guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The Present Moment?: I call it the Here and Now.

The present moment is "where" and "when" we exist and have our being. Our understanding resides with our thoughts in the present moment. Our understanding is informed by our “perspective", which is derived from a combination of our five senses, our memory of the past that validates the present moment, and our ability to reason, which anticipates the future. Because of this, each individual has a “unique” and limited perspective.

Our perspective is limited by the laws of physics and the nature of our inertial frame, which is our physical body. This is why the truth of Proverbs chapter 3 verses 5 and 6 is so important to understand. And why being Spirit-led is an essential aspect of every believer’s walk.

If we are born again, we are conscious of the Holy Spirit’s presence. According to His will, the Holy Spirit “informs” our perspective and therefore increases our understanding so, if we trust and obey, we can participate in what He is doing in the present moment (Revealing the Kingdom).

The present moment, the here and now, is the only place where a child of God is led by the Spirit of God. It's where the Holy Spirit reminds us of His leading in the past: John 14:26. It is where He speaks prophetically to us about the future.  John 16:13

The present moment is the only place where we can exercise Biblical Faith as we trust and obey the Holy Spirit's leading in the here and now!

Jesus said, "I assure you: The Son is not able to do anything on His own, but only what He sees (present-tense), the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does these things in the same way. Jn 5:19

Jesus also said, “The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Jn 14:10

I Corinthians 12:4-7. “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.” 

Romans 12: 6-8. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
1 Peter 4:10-11. “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”

Spiritual Authority?

Responsibility and accountability

MATTHEW 28:18-20  And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

"God calls us not only to receive His life through faith but also to maintain His authority through obedience. He counsels us, who are in the church, to obey the authorities He has established—in home, school, society, and church—as well as to obey His direct authority. It is not necessary to point out specifically which person you should obey. It simply means that whenever you encounter God’s authority, directly or indirectly, you should learn obedience."

                                                        Watchman Nee "Spiritual Authority" chapter 6

To Have authority you need to be under Authority

Matthew 8:5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed,(B) suffering terribly.” 7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” 8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

Hebrews 13:17 (Accountability)  Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

1 Peter 4:10  As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:

1 Peter 5:3  Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

1 Peter 3:2  When they see your respectful and pure conduct.

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

1 Timothy 5:1-2 (All Children of God.)  Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

1 Thessalonians 5:11  Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Colossians 3:13 Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Philippians 2:1-4 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ...

1 Peter 3:8  Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

Psalm 133:1-3 “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down upon the beard, upon the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life for evermore” (RSV).

Sign of the Times? Or just Current events?

Matthew 24:3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  25 Behold, I have told you before.

2 Thes. 2 :1. Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of [a]Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Games in the digital age.

A few years ago, my two sons, Hudson and Harrison invited a few of their friends over to play "video games."

Later in the evening, I went into the front room to see how things were going.

I was surprised to see only one of Harrison's friends in the room, Jacob.

Hudson was on the desktop computer with a headset and microphone. Talking to a number of online players that he was teamed up with as they battled another team on a multiplayer internet game.

Harrison had a PlayStation handset and was conversing with his teammates via his iPad as they battled on the big screen tv connected to the PS1 network.

I asked Jacob why he enjoyed playing these online games. He said "because I like overcoming obstacles, winning the battle, and discovering more of what the game has in store. I can be more than just me." 

Don't we all like feeling victorious? Feeling and "being" are two different things

Today I came across this...

http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/news/releases/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-appeal-of-videogames.html

It is interesting what the Lord said to me 8 months ago...

  http://www.randolphbrown.com/2015/12/vicarious-generation-that-been-occupied.html

Vicarious!

A generation that is being occupied and distracted from their own need to be overcomers.

http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/vicariously

"Vicariously is the adverb form of the word vicarious, which also involves experiencing something through another person. The Latin influence is the word vicarius, which means “substitute.” If you experience something vicariously, in a sense you’re a substitute who’s getting something secondhand.

If you’re living vicariously, stop it. Get out and live life for yourself. Vicariously means that you’re experiencing something indirectly, like when your friend's adventure feels like your own."

Everyone is Unique.

So what should we deduce from this truth?

I'm not like you. Then why do I compare myself to you? It's because I want what you have. You are noticed, others praise your accomplishments, when I try to compete, you do better than me. When will I realize I can't be you?

Have you ever tried to be "like" someone else? What about trying to be someone you aren't, just to get someone to like you, to notice you? Have you ever struggled with trying to find the real you?

Then you are a "most fortunate soul". You are close to realizing... the real you is not like anyone else.

Years ago I learned that... "When I get a glimpse of God, I automatically get a glimpse of my true self".

Let His Light shine into (reveal) your life as you "Seek Him with all your Heart". As you get to know Him, you will get to know yourself. READ YOUR BIBLE!