Verse of the Day 3/11

Verse of the Day 3/11

2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless^[a] toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars."   English Standard Version (ESV)

For today's verse we'll return to the book of 2 Chronicles for another one of my favorite verses from this book.  When you read the words "to and fro" throughout the earth you get the picture that God is constantly on the move to support those who are following after Him.  All too often we are caught up in ourselves even in trying to serve God in our own strength and by our own measures.  Or perhaps we are more like Jonah, whom God called and he went off in the opposite direction trying to avoid what God was calling him to do.  We all know the consequences of what that brought about for Jonah.

Perhaps you've felt God's call but have not answered yet.  Perhaps there is some  pride involved with your own agenda.  The repentance spoke of in yesterday's verse could be considered as swallowing our pride.  If Jonah had done so perhaps his pride and the whale wouldn't have swallowed him!

In today's passage God is speaking to King Asa who chose his own devices and sought the help of a foreign king in his troubles instead of turning to God.  We don't know all of the circumstances but as David Jeremiah writes, "Whatever happened, Asa serves as a warning to us. We must keep close to the Lord every day, being quick to confess and turn from all known sin. Our hearts should break when we do wrong, knowing it was our sins that nailed Jesus to the cross. We should keep a tender heart, one that is growing warmer, not colder. Ask God today for a tender conscience and a closer walk with Him."

We may find ourselves in hot water, in  trouble for doing things our way instead of turning to God.  If you find yourself there today, you may have already suffered consequences, but make  the turn now before it gets worse.  Turn to the Lord and seek "His strong support" and have a better "rest of the story".

I am weak but Thou art strong
Jesus keep me from all wrong
I'll be satisfied as long as I walk
Dear Lord, close to Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee
Grant it Jesus, is my plea
Daily walkin' close to Thee
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Through this world of toils and snares
If I falter Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

2 Chronicles 16:7-9The Message (MSG)

^7-9 Just after that, Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said, "Because you went for help to the king of Aram and didn't ask God for help, you've lost a victory over the army of the king of Aram. Didn't the Ethiopians and Libyans come against you with superior forces, completely outclassing you with their chariots and cavalry? But you asked God for help and he gave you the victory. 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."