240. God Shows Himself Strong
2 Chronicles 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. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
The prophet Hanani had told King Asa that he had relied on the king of Syria instead of relying on the Lord his God. Therefore, the army of Syria escaped. He should have relied on the Lord and he would have been victorious, as previously. In this Asa acted foolishly and so now on he would have wars. Asa ended up being diseased in his feet, and he did not seek the Lord but instead relied on physicians. He died in that state.
The word of the prophet in this case is a conditional promise: if your heart is perfect (or, blameless) toward the Lord, then the Lord will give you strong support. The Lord will show Himself strong toward those whose heart is perfect toward Him. Like David, you should have a heart for God. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and soul, and mind, and strength” Then good things happen.
This is an oft-repeated lesson for us, for “these things are written for our learning.” Rely on God 100% for everything, and it will be well with you. God will be strong for you and defeat your spiritual enemies. Of course, we are infested with sin, pride and unbelief, and so we cannot have a pure and blameless heart for the Lord. But Jesus does have a heart for the Father, and He has a heart for us. He replaces our sinful, selfish, deceived heart with His perfect heart, and we meet the condition: our heart is perfect toward God. Because of Christ, Father God will show Himself strong on our behalf. “When we are weak (we rely on Him), then He is strong (for us).”
We obtain a perfect heart by repentance and faith, confessing our sins and receiving the absolution. Our heart is maintained in purity by the Spirit through the Gospel, wherein is the strong power of salvation. Although we are still tempted to trust in “horses and chariots,” there is no power there, but we trust in the Lord our God. He is strong on our behalf.