… 3. And finally, the Lord is searching to strengthen a certain kind of people.
Who are these he searches for and strengthens???
“ those whose heart is COMPLETELY HIS”
THOSE WHOSE HEART IS FULLY DEVOTED AND LOYAL TO HIM!
THOSE WHOSE HEART BELONGS TO HIM!!
He will strengthen those who acknowledge Him as Lord and God and follow Him faithfully.
They that feel no need of Him and refuse to follow as His disciple will not experience His great power through trial and hardship!
If Asa had continued to trust and rely on God—he would have experienced the power of God at work on his behalf.
Instead—he trusted in the strength of men.
The Lord had searched the heart of King Asa and found that he had turned away from faith.
If the Lord had found faith and trust in Asa’s heart—He would have surely strengthened him and intervened mightily.
IT IS THE SAME MESSAGE FOR US TODAY!!!
THE LORD IS SEARCHING HEARTS THAT WILL TRUST HIM, RELY ON HIM AND LOOK TO HIM FULLY FOR HELP!!!
THESE ARE THE HEARTS THAT HE WILL NOT FORSAKE.
HE WILL NOT ABANDON THOSE THAT HOLD ON TO HIM—EVEN DURING THE WORST OF TIMES!!! HE IS ALWAYS THERE!!!
THERE IS ENCOURAGEMENT—BUT THERE IS ALSO A WARNING.
Listen to the Word of the Lord spoken to Asa in II Chronicles 15:
READ II CHRONICLES 15: 1-2
The Lord encouraged them that as long as they sought Him—He would be found—He would manifest His Presence and His help.
But if the king and the people would forsake Him—turn away from Him and refuse to depend on Him—He would forsake them.
WE MUST NOT BE COMPLACENT AND THINK THAT THE LORD WILL “BE THERE” AT ANYTIME—EVEN IF I TURN HIM AWAY AND IGNORE HIM.
There are many that continually ignore the voice and prompting of the Holy Spirit to draw near to Him. They do not regularly seek His face in prayer and the Word and they go on about their own business.
Many times Jesus goes even days without their fellowship.
They care not to listen to His voice or obey His Word.
But when troubles come—they cry out for Him first.
REMEMBER HIS WORDS: “ IF YOU FORSAKE HIM, HE WILL FORSAKE YOU”!!!
THE LORD REMAINS NEAR TO THOSE THAT REMAIN NEAR TO HIM!!!
James 4:8 urges us “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you”.
Psalm 18:25 “To the faithful you show yourself faithful…”
The faithful—those wholly devoted to Him will know His mighty strength.
God Bless You.
