For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars. (2 Chronicles 16:9)

Running Eyes

King Asa was the third king of the kingdom of Judah and the grandson of Rehoboam. Because of the leadership of his grandfather, Rehoboam, and his father, Abijam, the people had endured the rule of wicked kings for twenty years. Asa would reign over Judah for forty-one years and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. However, near the end of his reign (year thirty-six), he made a grave mistake when attacked by Baasha, king of Israel.

The civil war between the northern tribes of Israel and the southern two tribes of Judah had ravaged the land for many years. Baasha was a wicked king who refused to follow the word of the Lord. He invaded Judah and began building a fortress called Ramah. He planned to seal Asa in not allowing anyone to go out or come into Asa, king of Judah. When Asa heard of the invasion of Baasha, he brought silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the Lord, including the kings’ house, and sent them to Ben-Hadad, king of Syria.

Asa sought a treaty with the Syrians to fight against Baasha. Ben-Hadad was in a treaty with Baasha, but he agreed when he received a bribe from Asa to break his treaty. Attacking cities in Israel, the Syrians stopped building Ramah and returned home. King Asa took all the provisions used to build Ramah and used them to build Geba and Mizpah. The grievous error Asa made was seeking the help of the Syrians instead of asking for the help of the Lord.

The prophet Hanani came to King Asa and rebuked him for not seeking the help of God. Asa relied on the king of Syria to deliver him from Baasha. Early, Zerah the Ethiopian came against Judah with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots. Asa was outnumbered with only an army of five hundred eighty thousand warriors. God delivered the Ethiopians to the army of Asa in a great victory. Now, faced with Baasha and the army from Israel, Asa did not ask God to help him. What Hanani told the king is revealing.

Hanani reminds King Asa that the eyes of God run to and fro throughout the whole earth, seeking those He can help. God desires to strengthen the hands of the weak and stir the feeble hearts of His people with courage. The eyes of the Lord seek ways to help His people. There is no greater army to fight against Satan than the army of the Lord led by the Commander of the army of the Lord. Asa had the opportunity to call upon the Lord, but he called on the king of Syria.

Our prayers fail because we trust in our own wisdom to solve our problems. Satan has convinced us that God does not answer our prayers, and we then do not trust Him. We seek answers in everything but God. Hanani declares God is looking for opportunities to help His people. What greater strength can a man receive than what comes from the Lord? Prayers are always answered. When the answers do not fit our desire (or demand), it is God’s will. Asa made an alliance with the wrong source. God is always faithful and will never leave His people. Trust in Him, and do not lean on your own understanding. Let the eyes of the Lord look down upon your life and bless it with the power of God. Ask, and you will receive. Knock, and it shall be opened to you.