WHO IS GOD LOOKING FOR?
“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” II Chronicles 16:9
Asa was one of the greatest kings of Judah. He removed the altars of strange gods and commanded his people to seek the Lord and obey Him. He even removed his mother from being queen because of her idolatry. However, when the king of Israel came against him, Asa made a league with the king of Syria and sought his help. Rather than depend upon the Lord, the king would put his trust in man. When Asa did this, the Lord sent a prophet to tell the king that He was displeased because Asa was relying on the king of Syria and not relying on the Lord.
Our text is the great proclamation included in the prophet’s message to king Asa. Although these words were given specifically for Asa, they remain a promise for all of us. God is looking for people who will trust Him completely. His eyes “run to and fro throughout the whole earth.” Wherever people are, God is surveying the population. He is looking where we are. WHO IS GOD LOOKING FOR? He is looking for those “whose heart is perfect toward him.” What does that mean? He is looking for those who meet a certain condition of the heart. He is not looking for those who never fail and are perfect in their deeds or performance. Although He is not pleased when we sin, we know that if He were only looking for those who are sinless, He could discontinue His search. We all are still sinners. He is looking for those who trust Him with all their hearts.
Asa was rebuked for trusting in the king of Syria instead of trusting in the Lord. The man of God told Asa that he did not need to rely on a heathen king, for God was looking for people who were willing to trust Him. God wants to find those who trust Him completely, that He might “shew himself strong” on their behalf. He wants to demonstrate what He can do through the lives of those who are willing to trust Him.
This is as true today as it was in Asa’s day. God’s eyes are still looking to show Himself strong through those whose hearts are looking to Him in faith. He wants us to rely on Him, not on ourselves or the plans or programs of the world. As God’s eyes today “run to and fro throughout the whole earth,” will He find our hearts trusting perfectly in Him?