Note: Part 2 of 2
Read the previous post for better understanding and context.
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support [to succor] those whose heart is blameless toward Him.
2 Chronicles 16:9
The context of our verse comes during a period of self-sufficiency in King Asa’s life in 2 Chronicles.
Israel’s king Baasha had invaded Judah and was building Ramah, a military stronghold ‘that he might permit no one to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.’ 2 Chronicles 16:1
King Asa freaked, and immediately sent an enormous bribe to Ben-hadad, the king of Syria imploring Ben-hadad to “Break your alliance with Israel’s king so that he stops building this military checkpoint!”
Ben-hadad agrees and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel.
As soon as Baasha hears of the Syrian invasion he stops building Ramah.
“Threat removed; problem solved!” thinks Asa.
Then God sent this message to King Asa: “Because you relied on the king of Syria and did not rely on the Lord, the army of Syria has escaped you. Remember, Asa, when the Ethiopians and the Libyans brought a huge army with many chariots and horsemen against you? You relied on God then and he gave them into your hand! For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him.
You have acted foolishly in this, King Asa, and from now on you will have wars.”
Ouch.
A heavy price to pay for forgetfulness.
When Asa became king, he did what was good and right in the sight of God. He destroyed idol worship and turned the people of Judah toward the true God. During the first 35 years of Asa’s rule, only once was there war: an army from Ethiopia numbering a million soldiers came against Judah. This is what the messenger referred to when he told Asa, “Remember how you relied on God to save you and He did?”
Asa is rebuked with this reminder of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies as his Succorer in time of desperate need.
Asa had become complacent, passive, comfortable. He forgot what God did for him. It became his undoing. King Asa never got back to that place of faith in God as Succorer.
Don’t forget.
When in distress or difficulty, don’t forget.
When there is a lull in the intensity of life, a time of rest, don’t forget.
Refuse to forget the victories God has wrought on your behalf and what He has done.
Do not forget.
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support [to succor] those whose heart is blameless toward Him.
2 Chronicles 16:9 Succor.
Strong support. To go beneath. Run to help!
God has not changed. This is still true today, right now. Don’t forget it.
Don’t forget how he has succored you in the past.
Understand that he is God Who Succors.