Motto Text 2003

Motto Text 2003

2 Chron. 16:9 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

In this text we see the Lord actively running to and fro, looking to act through his power on behalf of his people. The text shows us that he will act towards those whose ‘heart is perfect towards him.’

This scripture is not advocating sinless perfection, in fact the person referred to here was King Asa and when the Lord was blessing him he wasn’t sinless. As the next verse shows.

2 Chron. 15:17 But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.

What does a perfect heart mean?

How can you and I have a heart that is such that the Lord will show himself strong on our behalf?

Surely that’s the tonic we need for 2003

Surely that the help we want for 2003

After Solomon’s reign Israel had divided into two different kingdoms. The northern ten tribes called Israel who were ruled initially by king Jeroboam, followed by King Nadab and then King Baasha.

Meanwhile the southern tribes called Judah had king Reheboam [Solomon’s son] his son Abijah then ruled. These two men were bad kings and Judah was led away from the Lord. Then came King Asa, he reigned for 41 years and was a good king. He led a mighty revival. King Asa’s heart is described in verse 17 of chapter 15 as being perfect.

2 Chron. 15:17 But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.

Let’s look at this king and see what marked his heart as being perfect.

· A Cardiograph of his Heart.

2 Chron. 14:1-2 So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten years. [2] And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God:

Let’s see what he was concerned about.

“Doing that which was right in the eyes of the Lord his God”

Asa wasn’t concerned with pleasing men.

Asa wasn’t concerned with not rocking the boat

Asa’s only concern at this time was doing that which was right in the eyes of the Lord.

He didn’t trust his own eyes.

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

He would see things from God’s viewpoint. He looked upon things with a heavenly perspective.

Does that describe your heart?

Are you concerned about what the Lord thinks?

If you have something to say, somewhere to go or something to do, are you concerned what the Lord would think?

We are looking at a cardiograph of Asa’s heart.

A perfect heart in the context is one that fully relies on God. Let’s look at some of Asa’a actions and see if we have anything in common with a man who has a perfect heart.

Concern

Cleansing

2 Chron. 14:3-5 For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves: [4] And commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. [5] Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.

Asa cleared out anything that was taking the place of the one true God. He urged his people to seek the Lord God of their fathers. He wanted them to turn to the Lord.

As we examine our hearts, do we need a clearout?

Is there some habit, some pleasure, some person, some job or some desire that has become an idol and needs to be dethroned from our heart?

Are we like Peter, who said.

Acts 10:14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

You cannot say, “Not so,” and “Lord,” it’s contradictory.

Is Christ on the throne of our hearts?

Do we want a perfect heart? Do we want to be someone who experiences the strength of God in his or her life?

2 Chron. 16:9 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.

Look next at his contemplation.

2 Chron. 14:5 Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.