![\"663ad354-ad20-4ddd-bcec-eb18a43c524a\"](\"https:\/\/globaltc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/663ad354-ad20-4ddd-bcec-eb18a43c524a.jpeg\" "\\"663ad354-ad20-4ddd-bcec-eb18a43c524a\\"")
\n\tI want to talk to you this month about commitment<\/em>. Let\u2019s look together at a powerful passage that speaks to the level of our commitment.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFor the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him\u201d (2 Chronicles 16:9, NIV).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Look at how some other translations highlight different parts of this verse:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We find several references in scripture mentioning that Jehovah literally goes to and fro throughout the earth (see Job 1:7<\/a>, 2:2). In\u00a0Zechariah 4:10<\/a>, (and also\u00a0Jeremiah 5:1<\/a>)\u00a0we find, \u201c… the eyes of the Lord, … run to and fro through the whole earth.\u201d The Lord is ceaselessly watchful for occasions to help the faithful! <\/strong>God\u2019s word gives us the promise that \u201cHe that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep\u201d (Psalm 121:4, KJV). Hallelujah!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Will you accept the fact that God is constantly looking to and fro to show himself strong in behalf of, to give strong support to, and to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him? God rewards committed hearts that are fully focused on Him!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In Psalms 139, David writes, \u201cHe knows my thoughts from afar.\u201d God is always constantly aware of our challenges and our situations. So, our conclusion should likely be that the eyes of the Lord are watching. Think about that! The all-powerful God of the universe, the creator of heaven and earth, is looking and seeking to strongly support those who have their heart fully committed to Him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Lord is pursuing those whose hearts are committed!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The statement, \u201cThe eyes of the Lord run to and fro,\u201d by the prophet Hanani reflect that this was not a one-time event for God. It is His constant practice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Bible is filled with examples of God engaging with man to support him in his most desperate situations. Let\u2019s review a few:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n How different are we when we know someone is watching us? <\/strong><\/p>\n How differently do we behave? Why would the prophet, Hanani, say these particular words to Asa?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The best way to understand these words is to become acquainted with the context of 2 Chronicles 16:9. Begin reading from chapter 14 through chapter 15, and read about Asa\u2019s life. He succeeded his father as king. Let\u2019s look at 2 Chronicles 14 and 15.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 14:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 15:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Asa led the nation into obedience to God. He faithfully followed the Lord. His heart was fully committed. For years, they were at peace and had the favor of the Lord on them as a nation. No war for 35 years! Rather, they had peace and prosperity.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What Happened?<\/strong><\/p>\n Continuing in 2 Chronicles 16:1 (NIV), we read, \u201cIn the 36th<\/sup> year of Asa\u2019s reign, Baasha, king of Israel, went up against Judah.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This time, Asa behaved differently. Asa, the king who had once depended on and trusted the Lord, was now looking to man for assurances. Asa hired a bunch of mercenaries from Syria with the gold and silver from the temple and failed to trust in the Lord. He relied on his own strength.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What was he thinking? Was it his pride, wealth or maybe his power that made Asa look elsewhere for help? Had he gotten so comfortable doing things his own way that he felt he could handle the threat without God? Maybe he thought, \u201cThis threat is so big, the Lord needs my help with this one.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Asa failed to trust the Lord in the 36th<\/sup> year of his reign. God had proven himself faithful to Asa for so long, so why would he not trust God now?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I think we must ask ourselves, \u201cWhat does it mean to be fully committed and stay fully committed?\u201d Let\u2019s talk about commitment for a minute.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you aspire to have a heart fully committed to God, the commitment is generally the outcome of an encounter with God. Making a commitment involves dedicating yourself to something, like a person or a cause. Before you make a\u00a0commitment, think carefully. A commitment\u00a0obligates you to do something<\/em>. Some commitments\u00a0are large, like marriage or launching a new business. Commitment includes the responsibility to practice specific activities \u2013 to do, cause, commit, or practice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Listen, nothing happens without commitment! You can\u2019t even make a purchase without commitment. \u201cSome people want everything to be perfect before they’re willing to commit… but commitment always precedes achievement. Commitment comes as a result of choice, not conditions\u201d (John Maxwell).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Some are committed until it is inconvenient to be committed. In the Swiss Alps, there is a mountain climbing trail that has a lodge at the halfway point. Hikers will start out the day determined to climb to the top of the mountain and reach their goal. As they climb through the snow, the altitude begins to have an effect, and they are overjoyed to reach the halfway point. There is a warm fire waiting with drinks, laughing, others who are pausing, and enjoyable views and resting. The cabin is filled with joy, laughter and celebration for reaching the halfway point.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n However, the longer the hikers linger in the lodge and the later it gets in the day, the atmosphere in the lodge changes. In the latter part of the day, those in the cabin realize that they will not meet their goal. They will not get to the top. They will miss out on the views from the top, and they have settled for halfway; it is discouraging. You will never win if you don\u2019t give it your best effort.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You never finish unless you keep going. You will never finish a task or goal as a team, a church, or a business unless you make a commitment. Yes, we are all tempted to quit, to give projects our half effort, to go the way of Asa and, at times, depend on the flesh instead of God.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Commitment starts in the heart! If you want to complete anything, you must make a commitment. The hopes and dreams never become a reality unless you commit. The only real measure for commitment is action.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Remember, commitment is generally the outcome of an encounter with God. When you have an encounter, you are changed. You will not forget that encounter, and you will revisit that moment in time often.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Putting Hope in Reach,<\/p>\n Jerry Nance, PhD<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I want to talk to you this month about commitment. Let\u2019s look together at a powerful passage that speaks to the level of our commitment. \u201cFor the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him\u201d (2 Chronicles 16:9, NIV). Look at how some…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n
\n
\n
\n