Complete Trust in God

The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war.” [2 Chronicles 16.9]

The prophet Hanani spoke pretty harsh words to King Asa of Judah.

A person who does not trust God wholeheartedly is a fool.

King Asa of Judah reached out to King Ben-hadad of Aram for help in fighting against King Baasha of Israel. It was a normal event in the divided political scene of the Holy Land. 

The problem was that God requires total trust by His followers but, instead, King Asa violated that total trust by depending on Ben-hadad. One might not think it foolish to ask for help... and God shares that sentiment - but God, by virtue of His nature and character, requires that our total trust be in Him and Him alone. God is not opposed to us asking for help - but we better as HIM!

To ask for help from anyone but God is faithlessness. It is idolatry. It is betrayal of trust.

In other words, God does not look to favorably upon our looking to outside sources for our help (even if we claim God uses the outside help). Asa could easily have said, "I am trusting that God will help me by the help of Ben-hadad." But that would have been a lie! Asa evidently made no request of God first to see what he should do. Instead, Asa sought Ben-hadad's help and the rest is history.

The point that sticks out to me is that God searches for people who will trust Him first. No alternatives, no excuses, but complete trust in God.

Do we dare trust God that way?

Father, I am compelled by Asa's story as I continue to see in my own life the necessity of complete trust in You. Help me!