Mom used to tell the story of me being 6 years old and hiding from her. I’d gone out to our garage and laid down in the back floorboard of our car, pretending like a hiding dog. She had searched all over for me and was frantic when I eventually walked in the back door of our house. Of course, I was in big trouble by then.
I just needed to be discovered. We all have that need. When we were young students, we wanted the teacher to see our hand raised. As we got older the boys wanted to be noticed for their strength and the girls for their beauty. Then it was a good job or other opportunity.
How we dress, act, speak and think are going to result in discovery of the ones we want to discover us. Of the host of those looking to discover us, two are at war over that discovery, searching for us with passion.
A friend recently pointed out 2 Chronicles 16:9 to me; “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”
I have often focused on 2 Peter 5:8, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
I have been so focused on Peter’s scripture I had never logged 2 Chronicles into my thinking. I may have been so engaged against evil I wasn’t positioning myself to be discovered by God.
Both are searching for us and will discover us based on our demeanor and actions. This is exactly why you may occasionally find me with my head bowed and eyes closed in prayer, even while serving as security at our church. I would rather trust God than fight the devil any day. Sure, there is a balance for warriors, but my position has been too much emphasis on my own skills and knowledge.
That’s what Asa did in 2nd Chronicles. Look where it got him.
Think About it
I grew up thinking God was angrily looking for my mistakes as opportunities to punish, if not crush me. That’s not what He’s searching for.
Life is so much better if we position our hearts as fully committed to Him. He will find us and strengthen us. What more could we ask for?
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