A LOYAL HEART
2 Chronicles 16:9
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...
© CreationSwap/Justin Schroeder 2013
2 Chronicles 16:9 is a very familiar verse to many believers. Today we hope to be able to rediscover this passage and its message for us. It was actually a different verse that was quickened to me when I began this study. God gave me Zechariah 4:10.
Zechariah 4:10However, as I meditated on the verse, God reminded me of 2 Chronicles 16:9 that also spoke of the eyes of the Lord that ran to and fro. As these two verses are juxtaposed, we get a deeper understanding of the message of both verses.
For who has despised the day of small things?
For these seven rejoice to see
The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
They are the eyes of the Lord,
Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.”
Both speak of the Lord’s eyes. Our God truly sees. In fact, His eyes see through everything that the Scripture tells us nothing can be hidden from Him. No detail is too little or too distant that His vision is unable to catch. His eyes are very sharp that they do not only see the external. His eyes also see the internal. He therefore sees not only our actions but also our very motives and thoughts. He sees what we really look like inside. Pretension does not work with God. He sees the real us always. If there is a CCTV camera before you, you tend to be more conscious of your actions because you know someone is looking. How about if we were constantly aware of His eyes upon us, how could that change our attitude or actions?
Both verses also tell us that God’s eyes run or scan to and fro throughout the whole earth. God does not only see. He really looks. All throughout the earth God is looking. We are told He is looking for something. 2 Chronicles 16 tells us that He is looking for hearts that are loyal. In Hebrew, this word is translated “salem” which means complete or perfect. The verse also provides us a beautiful promise to those who will be found with such hearts. God promises to show Himself strong for them. God will see them through their challenges. God will fight their battles. To a loyal heart, God promises to be faithful. But what does it mean to have a loyal heart?
We will seek to understand this through the very lives of the two men over which both passages were spoken of. We shall look at King Asa and Zerubbabel. From their lives we shall be able to pick up both warnings and encouragements.
KING ASA
As a background to King Asa, he was a king of Judah. At the beginning of his reign, he did what was right in the eyes of God. He removed the altars for foreign gods as well as the high places and incense altars. He also broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the wooden images. He also commanded Judah to seek the Lord and observe the law and the commandments. He also built fortified cities. Because he sought the Lord, God gave Judah rest from its enemies.
However time came when the Ethiopians attacked Judah. The people of Judah were severely outnumbered. They were only 580,000 while the enemy was a million, almost twice their size.When King Asa fought this battle, he cried out to God this beautiful prayer. “Lord it is nothing for you to help, whether with many or with those who have no power....Help us...do not let man prevail against you.” What an awesome prayer to utter! It is a prayer of a man who chose to fix his eyes on God rather than on his enemies or his circumstance. It was a prayer of a man who understood that regardless of how seemingly powerful the obstacle is towards him, it did not compare to his all-powerful God. He knew that every battle won or lost is in the hands of God and not in the strength of an army.
1 Samuel 14:6
Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few.”
Psalm 20:7-8When God chose to defeat the Philistines through Jonathan in 1 Samuel 14, Jonathan and his servant killed 20 men and went on to lead the charge against the Philistines. Truly God can save by many or by few. Are we in a personal battle today? Do you have an insurmountable enemy before you? Remember that the battle is the Lord’s. Look to Him.
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
They have bowed down and fallen;
But we have risen and stand upright.
In response to King Asa’s prayer of trust, God struck the Ethiopians and they were defeated. The people of Judah were also able to gain much spoil from that battle. God really proves Himself strong to those who trust in Him.
After the victory against the Ethiopians, we are told that Azariah prophesied over him. The prophecy was that the Lord shall be with him as long he was with God. If he sought God, He will be found by him. But if he forsakes God, God will forsake him. He was told to be strong for he shall be rewarded. He was given a promise of God’s favor as long as he was with the Lord. Truly there are conditions to enter into God’s promises. The conditions are to obey and trust God. When he heard this, he took courage to remove the abominable idols of Judah. He even removed his mother from being queen mother for her idolatry. Asa was described to have a loyal heart towards God.
Asa certainly had an excellent start. We understand from his life two keys to having a loyal heart to God - obeying and trusting Him. He obeyed God by removing idolatry in Judah and seeking the Lord. And because of this, the Lord brought peace to them. He also trusted God in his battle regardless of how they seemed bound for defeat. As a result, God gave him victory.
There was peace in his reign until the 35th year when a war broke out between Judah and Israel. Israel sought to trap Judah. In response, Asa, entered into a treaty with Syria. Syria then attacked Israel and stopped its building of Ramah.
It is quite interesting to note that after decades war broke out again in Judah. What we realize, however, as we read about this war, is that it was a test on King Asa whether or not he will continue to have a loyal heart towards God that will trust and obey Him in this difficult hour. One lesson we glean from this is that we are going to go through tests throughout our lifetime. These tests are purposed by God to refine and prove us. We cannot simply settle for the victories of yesterday. God puts us in different situations to see how we will respond.
What was King Asa’s response to the situation? It was quite surprising. Rather than seeking the help of God as he did in his early years, Asa sought worldly help to see him through. Rather than looking to God, he looked to men. King Asa took the easy way and disobeyed God’s instruction. How often is it that when crisis hits us, we run to men or we rely on ourselves to overcome? When something terrible happens who or what do we turn to first? Is our instinct to get our phone and call someone right away? Or perhaps, to put our thinking cap on so we can strategize on how to address the situation?
After the victory against the Ethiopians, we are told that Azariah prophesied over him. The prophecy was that the Lord shall be with him as long he was with God. If he sought God, He will be found by him. But if he forsakes God, God will forsake him. He was told to be strong for he shall be rewarded. He was given a promise of God’s favor as long as he was with the Lord. Truly there are conditions to enter into God’s promises. The conditions are to obey and trust God. When he heard this, he took courage to remove the abominable idols of Judah. He even removed his mother from being queen mother for her idolatry. Asa was described to have a loyal heart towards God.
Asa certainly had an excellent start. We understand from his life two keys to having a loyal heart to God - obeying and trusting Him. He obeyed God by removing idolatry in Judah and seeking the Lord. And because of this, the Lord brought peace to them. He also trusted God in his battle regardless of how they seemed bound for defeat. As a result, God gave him victory.
There was peace in his reign until the 35th year when a war broke out between Judah and Israel. Israel sought to trap Judah. In response, Asa, entered into a treaty with Syria. Syria then attacked Israel and stopped its building of Ramah.
It is quite interesting to note that after decades war broke out again in Judah. What we realize, however, as we read about this war, is that it was a test on King Asa whether or not he will continue to have a loyal heart towards God that will trust and obey Him in this difficult hour. One lesson we glean from this is that we are going to go through tests throughout our lifetime. These tests are purposed by God to refine and prove us. We cannot simply settle for the victories of yesterday. God puts us in different situations to see how we will respond.
What was King Asa’s response to the situation? It was quite surprising. Rather than seeking the help of God as he did in his early years, Asa sought worldly help to see him through. Rather than looking to God, he looked to men. King Asa took the easy way and disobeyed God’s instruction. How often is it that when crisis hits us, we run to men or we rely on ourselves to overcome? When something terrible happens who or what do we turn to first? Is our instinct to get our phone and call someone right away? Or perhaps, to put our thinking cap on so we can strategize on how to address the situation?
King Asa went for what was practical. He employed human means. When challenges hit us, we always have a choice between doing it our way and using our own strength or seeking God and relying on His strength. However, the first option can be very tempting because most often, it is the easier route. It is the more practical route. It is also the option where you keep your control over the situation. And somehow, regardless of how we already know that we cannot do it on our own, people would rather still have control than give their situation over to God. When you rely on your human strength or on others, it also does not require waiting and faith. You can easily get the gears moving on your own strength. When we choose to trust in God though, it requires laying down your situation upon God and waiting for His instruction. It also calls for releasing control and letting God be God. While such a prospect can scare many, we always have to bear this in mind. It’s the option that really delivers the goods. It is the option that works.
For a time, I asked the Lord how King Asa could have had a change of heart. How could he have trusted and obeyed God before and then forget Him later on? It is so important that we understand the cause of King Asa’s pitfall because it serves as a warning for us. His example really shows us our walk with God is not static. It is either moving forward or backward. His example is sobering as you get to realize that no matter how all out you are for God today, it is truly possible to fall away.
What may help us understand King Asa's change of heart may be found in what was said prior to his decision to make a treaty with Syria. The verse says that the kingdom did not have war until the 35th year. For many years, the kingdom was at peace. And during this time of rest, could it be that Asa grew distant in his walk with God? Since times were easy and there was a lack of desperate need, could it be that Asa forgot God? A crisis really has the potential to draw man to recognize his need for God. On the other hand, abundance and ease can have the opposite effect. Abundance can really puff heads up and make one self-sufficient. We have already heard countless stories of people who started out very humble only to get puffed up by their success. This is why the Lord issued a warning to Israel in Deuteronomy 8.
When King Asa committed this error, a man of God came and rebuked him. This is when 2 Chronicles 16:10 was spoken. However, instead of repenting for his action and getting right with God, he imprisoned the prophet. He became so arrogant and could no longer be corrected. He also showed no intention to get right with God. He turned complacent in his relationship with the Lord. Asa's example teaches us that no matter how fired up you are for God today it is still possible to grow cold on Him. Complacency in our pursuit of God through time can erase even the strongest of beginnings with God. Our walk with God calls for dedication. The victory of yesterday, no matter how big it is, does not guarantee intimacy with God today. We have to be pouring ourselves to our relationship with God daily. The Apostle Paul says:
It is also noteworthy that for a time, King Asa’s decision to trust in his money and in other people seemed to work. They were able to ward off the Northern Kingdom. However, later on more battles came that even led to the defeat and conquest of Judah. There are times when disobedience and seeking worldly means to solve problems will initially appear to be rewarding. However, they will not last and in the end will be proven to be wrong and costly. The gains from such will be temporary.
Asa, a man who once had a loyal heart to God, ended losing this heart. God gave him an illness to give him an opportunity to trust in Him again but Asa once more, rather than turning to God, turned to doctors. He eventually succumbed to his illness and the Bible did not say he returned to the Lord. His life offers a very sobering warning that while a man may start out with a loyal heart to God, he can lose this eventually. Trust and obedience to God has to be a lifestyle to us. King Asa is an example that speaks to us of this truth: it is not how well we begin but how well we finish that counts.
The result of King Asa and a number of other kings’ of Judah disloyal hearts was the captivity of the people of Judah. And it is here that we take off on the life of Zerubbabel.
ZERUBBABEL
For a time, I asked the Lord how King Asa could have had a change of heart. How could he have trusted and obeyed God before and then forget Him later on? It is so important that we understand the cause of King Asa’s pitfall because it serves as a warning for us. His example really shows us our walk with God is not static. It is either moving forward or backward. His example is sobering as you get to realize that no matter how all out you are for God today, it is truly possible to fall away.
What may help us understand King Asa's change of heart may be found in what was said prior to his decision to make a treaty with Syria. The verse says that the kingdom did not have war until the 35th year. For many years, the kingdom was at peace. And during this time of rest, could it be that Asa grew distant in his walk with God? Since times were easy and there was a lack of desperate need, could it be that Asa forgot God? A crisis really has the potential to draw man to recognize his need for God. On the other hand, abundance and ease can have the opposite effect. Abundance can really puff heads up and make one self-sufficient. We have already heard countless stories of people who started out very humble only to get puffed up by their success. This is why the Lord issued a warning to Israel in Deuteronomy 8.
Deuteronomy 8:11-17God Himself warned against man’s capacity to forget God and that all man has is because of Him. Man can suddenly think it was his own doing. God warns of the possibility for our hearts getting lifted up. And such a heart is not a loyal heart because loyalty to God requires humility to depend on God. The success in King Asa's leadership gave room for pride to creep in. Rather than relying on God, he chose to rely on his human effort. This can be deduced from the very fact that he used money to get the Syrians to make a treaty with him. He found no reason to turn to God because he can turn to his own and somebody else’s strength. Pride led him to become self-reliant. One thing that can surely extinguish our trust in God is self-reliance.
“Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end— then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’
When King Asa committed this error, a man of God came and rebuked him. This is when 2 Chronicles 16:10 was spoken. However, instead of repenting for his action and getting right with God, he imprisoned the prophet. He became so arrogant and could no longer be corrected. He also showed no intention to get right with God. He turned complacent in his relationship with the Lord. Asa's example teaches us that no matter how fired up you are for God today it is still possible to grow cold on Him. Complacency in our pursuit of God through time can erase even the strongest of beginnings with God. Our walk with God calls for dedication. The victory of yesterday, no matter how big it is, does not guarantee intimacy with God today. We have to be pouring ourselves to our relationship with God daily. The Apostle Paul says:
Philippians 3:12-14When the Apostle Paul wrote this he was already a very accomplished apostle. He was near death at this time, yet, he still did not count himself to have apprehended. He knew that there was so much more in God he had yet to discover. He was not content to settle for the victories of the past. He says he forgets the past and keeps pressing on towards his goal - which is the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. The Apostle Paul was not satisfied to have traversed continents to proclaim the gospel and win many to God. He was not content to have written all these letters that impacted lives throughout generations. He was not content with having visited even the third heaven. He was not content with having gained such power and authority. He says he is forgetting those things because none of them compared to his ultimate goal of knowing and winning Christ fully.
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
It is also noteworthy that for a time, King Asa’s decision to trust in his money and in other people seemed to work. They were able to ward off the Northern Kingdom. However, later on more battles came that even led to the defeat and conquest of Judah. There are times when disobedience and seeking worldly means to solve problems will initially appear to be rewarding. However, they will not last and in the end will be proven to be wrong and costly. The gains from such will be temporary.
Asa, a man who once had a loyal heart to God, ended losing this heart. God gave him an illness to give him an opportunity to trust in Him again but Asa once more, rather than turning to God, turned to doctors. He eventually succumbed to his illness and the Bible did not say he returned to the Lord. His life offers a very sobering warning that while a man may start out with a loyal heart to God, he can lose this eventually. Trust and obedience to God has to be a lifestyle to us. King Asa is an example that speaks to us of this truth: it is not how well we begin but how well we finish that counts.
The result of King Asa and a number of other kings’ of Judah disloyal hearts was the captivity of the people of Judah. And it is here that we take off on the life of Zerubbabel.
ZERUBBABEL
Zerubbabel, just like King Asa, was a leader of his people. Another thing they shared in common is getting situated in circumstances where the task at hand appears impossible due to the presence of formidable hindrances.
Zerubbabel was the governor of Israel after the Israelite captives of Babylon were sent back to their land to rebuild it. He led the people in their exodus back to Canaan as well as in the rebuilding of their nation. He had the task of getting Israel to thrive in their abandoned land.
Not all Israelites went back with Zerubbabel. This speaks to us of how there are those who will be content where they are at and those who will reject the opportunity to go on further in and with God. (Bailey, “The Seven Dwelling” 122)
Zerubbabel also led the reconstruction of the temple that was destroyed during the Babylonian conquest. However, unlike King Asa, he did not rely on worldly means to fulfill God’s call. When the enemies offered to help rebuild the temple, he refused them which led them to find ways to stop the work. They eventually appeared to have succeeded getting the Persian empire to halt the temple restoration. Zerubbabel had a most difficult opposition before him. However, when the voice of God spoke and told the Israelites to rebuild, he chose to obey God. He kept his heart loyal towards God. Thus, he was mightily rewarded for his trust and obedience.
When he resumed the work of the temple regardless of the obstacles before him, God took control of his situation and changed the heart of the Persian king. The Persian king lifted the restriction on the rebuilding of the temple and even supplied materials for the work. God really is able to turn the hearts even of our enemies. No one can stop His purposes not even kings. Proverbs says that the king’s heart is in His hands and He turns it wherever He wishes.
Because Zerubbabel chose to trust and obey God in the midst of his impossible situation, God honored him and promised to him that he will put the capstone on the work. While it is truly very exciting to start endeavors for God, they do not compare to finishing them. Zerubbabel was a finisher and we should aspire the same in our lives because as I mentioned it is our end that really counts.
Prophet Zechariah also said that the eyes of the Lord were pleased to see the plumbline in his hand. The eyes of the Lord that look for loyal hearts were pleased with Zerubbabel, specifically that he was holding the plumbline. The plumbline is an instrument used in construction to ensure that structures are built straight. Pillars are measured up against a plumbline to see if they are standing straight. This can mean that Zerubbabel has been setting and keeping the standards of God in the work that he was doing. He obeyed and upheld the standards of God rather than men’s. He did not compromise with the world. As we live in a day and age that is trying to dilute truth and make us conform to human and worldly standards, we are called to continue using Christ as our plumbline.
And as God promised in 2 Chronicles 16:9, to those who are loyal to Him, He will prove Himself strong. God did so for Zerubbabel as he built the temple. The Lord removed every hindrance to the work and it was eventually finished.
Finally, God made a promise to Zerubbabel that he will be a signet ring to the Lord. Zerubbabel, if it were not for Israel’s captivity, should have been king. A signet ring is used by kings of old to sign and seal documents. So while Zerubbabel was unable to become king, which should have been his position if Israel was not under the Persian empire, God gave him a promise that in the Millennium he will take his rightful place. What a privilege! He may have been deprived of an earthly kingship but he will be gaining his full inheritance in the ages to come! (Bailey, “Minor Prophets” 16)
To those who will be found with a loyal heart as Zerubbabel, those who will trust and obey God to the end, their rewards will be seeing the finished work of God in and through their lives as well as reaping an excellent inheritance for all eternity. May we gain and keep loyal hearts. May we be found by the eyes of the Lord as having loyal hearts towards Him.
References:
Bailey, Brian. Minor Prophets III, New York:Zion Christian Publishers, 2002. E-copy.
Bailey, Brian. The Seven Dwelling Places of God, New York:Zion Christian Publishers, 2007. E-copy.
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