Grasp the Gospel — Bible Comprehension Quizzes

2 Chronicles 16 Devotional

Searching for Hearts to Strengthen

“For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war.””2 Chronicles 16:9 (BSB)

After thirty-five years without war, Asa faces a threat from Baasha of Israel. This time he does not pray. He empties the temple treasury and pays Ben-hadad of Aram to attack Baasha instead (16:1-4). Baasha stops building and withdraws (16:5).

Then Hanani the seer arrives. He reminds Asa of the Cushites, a vast army defeated because Asa relied on the LORD (16:8). The LORD's eyes range over the whole earth, looking for those whose hearts are fully his, so that he can show himself strong on their behalf (16:9). Asa responds with rage, jails the prophet, and oppresses some of the people (16:10). Even in his final illness he seeks only the physicians and not the LORD (16:12). The fault was not in the doctors but in leaving God out of his seeking. The LORD of 16:9 is not hard to find. He is actively looking for people to help. You do not have to earn his attention, only turn toward him rather than away.

To think about: Where are you relying on a quick human solution instead of turning first to the God who is looking to strengthen you?

About 2 Chronicles 16: Asa Trusts Aram and Rejects Rebuke

When Baasha of Israel threatens Judah, Asa pays Aram’s king with temple treasure to attack Israel. The seer Hanani rebukes him for trusting a foreign king instead of God, and Asa jails him. Later Asa falls ill but turns only to doctors, not to God, and dies and is buried with honor.

Take the 2 Chronicles 16 quiz →Study notes

Get the next chapter and its devotional in your inbox each morning

One short email a day, no account needed. Stop anytime.