When God Shows Himself Strong: Living a Life Fully Devoted to the Lord

“God searches for surrendered hearts so He can display His strength in their lives”

There is a single verse in Scripture that, if we grasp it and live by it, could change everything about the way we face life’s battles, decisions, and seasons of uncertainty:

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him.”
— 2 Chronicles 16:9

This isn’t just a comforting promise; it’s a life-altering truth. God is telling us that He is actively searching the earth, right now for men and women whose hearts are fully His so that He might show Himself strong on their behalf. The thought alone should stop us in our tracks.

1. God’s Desire to Strongly Support You
We often think of prayer as a way to convince God to help us. But 2 Chronicles 16:9 tells us that God already desires to display His strength in our lives. His eyes search for hearts that are loyal; hearts that trust Him above every other strategy, resource, or alliance.
Would there be a better way to live than to know that the God of the universe is actively backing you? Imagine every battle you face—financial struggles, health crises, parenting challenges, ministry burdens—carried not in your strength but by His.

2. The Heart God Supports
The word “blameless” here is better understood as “fully devoted” or “loyal.” It’s not simply about perfect behavior or moral faultlessness—though obedience matters deeply to God. Instead, it’s about reliance: a heart wholly leaning on the Lord.
King Asa’s story proves this. Early in his reign, when an Ethiopian army of a million men came against Judah, Asa turned to God in desperation. He relied on the Lord, and God delivered him. Later in life, however, Asa faced a smaller threat and chose human strategy over divine dependence. He took treasures from the temple to buy the alliance of Syria. The plan succeeded politically but cost him spiritually—bringing years of war, loss of God’s intended victory, and unnecessary suffering.

3. The Danger of Relying on Ourselves
Asa’s failure warns us that sometimes our own wisdom, connections, or resources can “work” in the short term but lead to long-term pain. We may fix an immediate problem only to find we’ve drifted from God’s will, forfeiting the blessings He intended.
We will always have human options and worldly strategies before us. But if those replace reliance on God, we risk trading God’s strength for temporary solutions—and we often inherit chaos we never anticipated.

4. Learning to Live Fully Devoted
A fully devoted heart is not a sinless heart; it’s a surrendered one. It is the heart that, when faced with every decision, asks first:

“Lord, what do You want?”
“Where are You leading?”
“Whom am I trusting in this moment—you or myself?”

This devotion leads us into alignment with His will, even when the path looks risky or counterintuitive. But in His will, we find His strength.

5. God’s Strength on Display
The promise of 2 Chronicles 16:9 is not that life will be easy, but that in every circumstance God will show Himself strong. This brings blessing to His people and glory to His name. When God steps in, our lives become testimonies that draw others to Him.

God's Call to You
God’s strength is available, but it’s not automatic. It is reserved for those whose hearts are fully His. What would it look like for you today to rely on Him in your finances, marriage, ministry, health, or future? What strategies or alliances have you leaned on that God is calling you to surrender?
Let us be a people who refuse to move in our own wisdom or power. Let us trust that His ways are higher, His timing is perfect, and His plans are for our good and His glory.

Prayer:
“Father, we confess how often we trust in our own plans. Teach us to lean wholly on You. Give us hearts fully devoted to You so that You may show Yourself strong in our lives. Help us to trust Your wisdom over our own and to rest in the truth that You see us and desire to support us. In Jesus’ name, amen.”