Hearts fully committed to God

II Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)

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

A major biblical principle is the following:  The Lord will respond to you IF you first respond to Him.  Here the Bible affirms that He will strengthen you if you are fully committed to Him.  This is consistent with many other passages where God promises something if you first respond to Him:

·  IF my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land (II Chron 7:14)

·  IF you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it shall be done for you. (John 15:7) (NOTE:  There are 9 other verses in John 15 containing the word “if”, all with promises or warnings…can you find them?).

·  IF you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.  If you love Me you will keep My commandments (John 14:14-15)

·  IF you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him? (Matt 7:11)

·  Behold I stand at the door and knock; IF anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me (Rev 3:20)

Yes, many of God’s promises are conditional.  Again, He will respond to you, but you first must respond to Him.

The image I have of God’s eyes roaming around throughout the earth to find people who are committed to Him connects with the story of God finding Noah, or Abraham, or Joseph, or Daniel and using these godly men to fulfill His purposes for mankind.  It’s also true that God picked people to fulfill His purposes who were not fully committed to Him; in fact not committed at all---the disciples and the apostle Paul come to mind.  Yet, only God knows the heart of people (I Sam 16:7) so even if someone’s devotion to Him is not obvious on the outside, He knows that such devotion and commitment are in the heart.  Look at all the people currently serving Him in major pastoral roles who may or may not have been fully committed to Him in their earlier lives, but whom He knew would be later. 

What does it mean to be fully committed to Him?  I think that the primary answer is found in Matthew 6:33.  Those who seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness are those who are fully committed to Him.  It starts with the mind and heart---one’s attitude—that “I am going to seek the Lord everyday and to do my best with the Lord’s help to be faithful and obedient to Him”.  The person who has this attitude is the person who God recognizes among all who dwell on the earth and He will further strengthen your heart to continue to love, serve, and obey His commandments. 

The person who is fully committed to God and His ways is the person who serves Him wholeheartedly without any conditions.  That is, you will follow God’s will and ways in all respects and not be the kind of person who is obedient in some areas and not in others. 

Where is your heart right now?  How fully are you committed to the Lord?  Do you love God?  You do?  Then Jesus says that you will keep (obey) all of His commandments, not just some of them (John 14:21, 23).  Remember, God condemns those who are lukewarm in their attitudes and actions toward Him (Rev 3:15-16).  May you seek for the rest of your life to be fully committed and devoted to the Lord and you will be blessed in all that you do.  The eyes of the Lord are always on those who serve Him.  He will never forget your service and sacrifices for Him and His kingdom.  Be on the playing field with the Lord, not on the sidelines.  Ultimate glory and reward waits for those who are playing, not those who are not.