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. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.” 2 Chronicles 16 NKJV
9 “God is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him. YOU WERE FOOLISH TO GO FOR HUMAN HELP WHEN YOU COULD HAVE HAD GOD’S HELP. Now you’re in trouble—one round of war after another.”
10 At that, Asa lost his temper. Angry, he put Hanani (the seer) in the stocks. At the same time Asa started abusing some of the people. 2 Chronicles 16 The Message MSG
Asa’s rule began well but towards the end of his reign his heart turned away from the Lord, resulting in a painful disease from which he eventually died. I have known and been blessed by verse 9 for a long time; God is looking for a people He can bless! Turning to ‘human help’, something we know and understand can lead to more problems. This systems of this world have been developed to enslave and control people. We all know the saying that Believers are, ‘in the world but not of it’ and this scripture encourages us to put our trust in the Lord.
13 So Gad went to David and said to him, ‘Shall there come on you three years of famine in your land? Or three months of fleeing from your enemies while they pursue you? Or three days of plague in your land? Now then, think it over and decide how I should answer the one who sent me.’
14 David said to Gad, ‘I AM IN DEEP DISTRESS. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, FOR HIS MERCY IS GREAT; BUT DO NOT LET ME FALL INTO THE HANDS OF MEN.’ 2 Samuel 24
What a decision David had to make and all because of something he’d done. (21 Satan rose up against Israel and INCITED David to take a census of Israel. 1 Chronicles 21:1 At times Satan will try and push us into taking certain decisions/actions, BEWARE DOING ANYTHING THAT CAUSES YOU TO LOSE YOUR PEACE!)
The main lesson here was David’s reasoning, he knew GOD WAS MERCIFUL AND COMPASSIONATE, BUT MAN WAS NOT. THERE IS LITTLE MERCY OR COMPASSION IN THIS WORLD AND THAT’S WHY WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL AS BELIEVERS NOT TO LOOK TO THIS WORLD BEFORE SEEKING GOD.
24 ‘“‘The Lord bless you
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face towards you
and give you peace.’”
27 ‘So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.’ Numbers 6
May the Lord bless and keep us in times of distress to know His help and strengthening in our lives.