God’s Eyes

2 Chronicles 16:9

Bob Rakestraw

January 31, 2014

Greetings and (belated) Happy New Year! I trust that the year 2014 will be the best year of your life so far, in the things that matter most.

About 50 years ago I discovered an unusual and fascinating expression in the Bible. These words have been tremendously encouraging to me, over and over, through all of my life since then. I will quote the whole sentence and then discuss the expression, as well as the rest of the verse:

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew [show] himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him” (2 Chronicles 16:9, King James Version – KJV).

The words that especially struck me are “the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth.” I knew that, even though God does not have physical eyes (and that this expression is therefore an “anthropomorphism”), the Bible writer is here presenting a remarkable truth.

The picture that comes into my mind when I read these words of scripture, then and now, is that of a supreme being (a very powerful, wise and kind human-like ruler) seated or standing in the heavens and looking slowly and carefully over the earth. His eyes are roaming (the Hebrew form indicates continuous activity), not in a nervous, frantic manner but in a calm and all-knowing search, aware of every person and the heart of every person.

The New International Version (NIV, 2011) translates the verse somewhat differently from the KJV:

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

Instead of God’s eyes running “to and fro” they “range” over the earth. Here is the doctrine of God’s omniscience” (literally “all-science”): God knows everything. Whatever the Bible translation (both of the above are accurate), we know unmistakably that God is intensely aware of what is going on here on earth, and what people—including you and me—are thinking and doing.

The reason for God’s careful searching activity throughout the earth is “to shew [show] himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him” (KJV). This is also remarkable: God studies every inhabitant of the earth (now over seven billion people) to see which ones are fully devoted to him, in order to “show himself strong” on their behalf. In other words, God actually looks for opportunities to do mighty things for those who love and serve him! And whatever he chooses to do, it will be very good for us—“immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20).

Whether, as with the KJV, we think of God’s showing himself strong on our behalf or, as with the NIV, we think of God’s strengthening us directly (the latter is the more accurate translation), the great truth is the same: God’s mighty power is released to accomplish wonderful works in, for and through his faithful ones.

So far we have written only of the things that God does and will do. But the most important part of the verse for our everyday lives has to do with our part:” what must we do, and be? We know that God will do his part—the text states that very clearly and powerfully. But our responsibility is to have hearts that are “fully committed” to him (NIV), “perfect” toward him (KJV) or “blameless” before him (English Standard Version).

The words “perfect” and “blameless” may discourage some Christians because they know (as we all know) that they (and we) are far from being perfect and blameless. God’s people may say, “Well I guess God will not be strengthening my heart. Why even hope for that?”

The best translation, however, is that of the NIV: “fully committed” to God. The purpose of this scripture text is not to discourage us, but to encourage us. From the context of verse nine (especially verses seven and eight) and chapter 15 (especially verse 17) we can see that the “fully committed” child of God—King Asa in this case—is one who relies totally on the Lord, not on their own perceived strength and resources. When Asa did the latter, sadly, he grieved the Lord and trouble followed him the rest of his days.

The Hebrew term translated “fully committed” (shalem) does not mean perfect or blameless in an absolute sense. The idea of the word is complete, whole, safe, at peace and especially—praise God—friendly! It comes from the root shalem: to be safe in mind, body and belongings. It is related to shalom: safety, peace, wholeness, happiness and friendship, especially in a covenant of peace and friendship.

Our responsibility, then, in order to see God do mighty things in, for and through us—to experience God’s powerful inner strengthening—is to be at peace with God in a covenant relationship of friendship! (Three times in the Bible Abraham is called “the friend of God” even though he surely was not “perfect.”) If our hearts are “fully committed” to God, living daily with him in peace as our covenant partner and friend, trusting fully in him and not in ourselves, doing those things that please him and shunning those things that displease him, we will experience great and mighty things, not only this year but for the rest of our earthly lives—and forever!

I ask myself as I ask you: when God’s eyes examine our hearts carefully, what does he see and how will he act in light of that knowledge in 2014? He will assuredly do his part!

When You Feel Sad

Everyone feels sad at times. Some people feel sad more often or more deeply than others, while some people appear not to experience much sadness. But we all know the feeling and it is not pleasant.

I am not writing here about depression, which is a very serious mental health condition. From my own experience with depression in 2008-2009, I can say that depression is the worst health problem I have ever had. It is being gripped in one’s mind, soul and will by the strong clutches of an enemy called hopelessness. It is often debilitating, and can be very dangerous, even life-threatening. Sadness, while different from depression, may also be debilitating. But, on the whole, sadness is not as deep or as long-lasting as depression.

We feel sad for different reasons, at different times. Sometimes I feel sad about world events and circumstances, or national and local issues. Human suffering can tear me apart, and perhaps you as well. You may also experience sadness over family matters, financial issues, your job or career, your appearance, your church, your health, your marriage or some other relationship. Sometimes people just feel an overall sense of sadness about themselves and their place in life.

While I have thought about sadness and its opposite, gladness, for many years, I was prompted to write on sadness for this posting because of a television program I saw recently. It was a one-hour documentary on one of Adolf Hitler’s closest associates, Heinrich Himmler, during Hitler’s ascendancy and reign of terror in Europe during the 1930’s and 1940’s. I have watched numerous such programs, but because of the way this one ended I felt especially sad. After the commentator spoke of the double suicide of Hitler and his new bride in Berlin, and the deaths of Himmler and other key aides to Hitler, with pictures and melancholic music for accompaniment, the program ended without further words.

The cameras then simply panned slowly over the bombed city of Berlin, showing the vast landscape of rubble. There were, in addition, ghastly pictures of skeleton-like prisoners slowly emerging hollow-eyed from their prisons. The eerie black and white photography and the mournful violins left me—after I clicked off the television—with only the stillness and the blankness of my thoughts. The simple thought then came to me: “and a great sadness settled over the whole land.” I later thought of the first verse of the book of Lamentations written after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. “How deserted lies the city, once so full of people! How like a widow is she, who once was great among the nations!”

The murderous reign of Hitler and his associates is one of the saddest accounts in recorded history. There are many others—some on a major scale as mentioned above, and some known only to a small group. The sufferings are just as real, however, as are yours and mine. But, praise God, there is hope!

Today I looked at a number of scriptures on sadness and sorrow and I offer them here (from the NIV 2011) for your consideration and benefit.

Ecclesiastes 1:18. “With much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.”

Ecclesiastes 7:4. “The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.”

Proverbs 15:13. “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.”

Proverbs 12:25. “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”

Exodus 3:7. “The LORD said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.’ ”

Isaiah 53:3-5. “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain…. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, …”

Mark 14:32-34. “They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus …. began to be deeply distressed and troubled. ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death, …’ ”

Romans 9:1-4. “I speak the truth in Christ – I am not lying, … I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, … the people of Israel.”

2 Corinthians 6:4-10. “As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance, in troubles, hardships and distresses; … dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; …”

Revelation 21:1-4. “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, …And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, … He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ ”

As I think on the above scriptures, several conclusions come to me with regard to sadness, sorrow and suffering.

1. Sorrow is not necessarily a bad thing; it can actually be helpful in our service for God and others.
2. The Father, in his son Jesus, suffered for us and suffers with us; he knows very well when we are sad.
3. As we serve our Lord and others faithfully, we can be “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.”
4. All sadness, sorrow and suffering will one day come to an end.

One final word: please do not sorrow alone. None of us is strong enough for that. If you have no one, ask God in faith for at least one person to come into your life with whom you may speak freely – someone who will pray for you as you pray for them.

Bob Rakestraw

November 4, 2013

“The New Benediction Project”

http://newbenedictionproject.blogspot.com/

Not A Farewell

Not A Farewell 

Bob Rakestraw

September 13, 2013 

“The New Benediction Project”

http://newbenedictionproject.blogspot.com/

 

Dear Reader,

This is a difficult posting to write. I have come to a point in my life when I need to cut back on my involvement with “The Benediction Project” (which has now become “The New Benediction Project;” the link above will enable you, with just a click, to go back and forth between the two).

The blog was started in May, 2007, with the help of my very capable blog manager, Abigail Miller, now Abigail Sengendo. Abigail, who has done an excellent job for the past six plus years, will be moving soon to Africa, where she, her husband and their darling twin daughters will live with and serve the people of Uganda.

As I have mentioned previously in this blog, I was informed by two doctors in the spring of 2007 that I would probably not live more than six months. My immune system, despite being suppressed by powerful medications, appeared to be winning the battle to reject the new heart which I had received in 2003. I entered hospice care and then started this blog.

Well, I am still here (by God’s sovereign plan) and the blog is still active, even though I post only once a month. My health, however, has continued to decline, especially with my breathing. I cannot get enough oxygen, and medically-supplied oxygen does no good in my case. It has become increasingly difficult to speak, move about and just be (whether sitting, standing or lying down).

In light of the above matters, I believe I should focus the little energy I still have to complete the two books I am writing. Grace Quest is my spiritual autobiography, with the tentative subtitle: “A Teacher’s Search for Salvation, Spirituality and the Strength to Suffer Well.” The first draft is now finished, and I hope to see the book published before the end of 2014. Maria: Five Days in Heaven is a novel about a Mexican woman who dies and goes to heaven. I am not too far along with this project, but I expect to return to it after Grace Quest is completed.

While I hope to continue posting something each month, the items likely will be much briefer than before. As my wife and I are able we will try to keep you aware of any major health-related issues. In addition, I am on Facebook and will welcome you as a friend if I know who you are. I am not, however, an avid Facebook user.

The 120 or so previous postings—those of the past six years—will remain available on “The Benediction Project” site. New postings will appear here, on “The New Benediction Project.” The links on each blog site should enable you to switch back and forth and read or print any ones you wish.

 

I hope you will stay with me in the months and years ahead, as God permits. Thank you for your faithful readership and prayers for both my health and the ongoing usefulness of this blog in the lives of people all over our world who are seeking God’s benediction in their lives.

“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”   2 Thessalonians 2:15-17

I can post from email

Welcome to the New Benediction Project

Hello Readers,

I'm so glad you could make it over to the new site! The old site was beginning to generate so many technical difficulties that we decided the best solution was to move to a new blog with a new look. Do you like it? The old blog will still be there for reading and reference for as long as Blogger allows us to keep it there. But new posts will be posted here.

Thanks so much for joining me over here.

Click here to go back to the old blog:
http://bobrakestraw.blogspot.com/