A Heart That’s Fully Devoted to God

THIS WEEK’S BOLD STEP DEVOTION

“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.”
(2 Chronicles 16:9)

When a person first comes to faith, their zeal for God is fresh. They pray boldly, worship passionately, and read God’s Word with excitement. Their faith is simple, like that of a child—trusting and full of wonder. But as time passes, they can become what I like to call “seasoned.” They gain knowledge but often at the expense of losing their initial fire. They start relying on themselves more than God and their passion slowly fades.

King Asa’s early years as recorded in 2 Chronicles reflected that kind of childlike dependence on God. He trusted in the Lord to overcome mighty armies, but something changed in him. In one such battle, instead of trusting God, he made a treaty with the enemy and took what belonged to God and gave it elsewhere. What began as a life fully devoted to God changed to one of self-reliance.

How often do we do the same? We face struggles in our marriage, our careers, or our families, and we often turn to counselors, friends, and strategies for solutions before seeking God. While these resources can be beneficial, they are meant to support—not substitute—our dependence on the Holy Spirit’s guidance. God encourages us to seek wisdom, but He desires our hearts to remain fully devoted to Him. True transformation comes not from human effort alone but from His power working within us.

In 2 Chronicles 16:9, we read, “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." The good news is that God is still searching for hearts that are fully committed to Him. Will He find that in you?

Listen to the sermon: When God Stops

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Ministry Update from Mark

I want to let you know about an exciting opportunity to connect with me and my cohost, Wayne Shepherd, on the Bold Steps YouTube channel. Every third Friday of the month, we offer an up-close, personal conversation about timely topics, listener questions, prayer requests, and spiritual themes. It’s a great way for you to engage with us in a deeper way! Our most recent special is up right now! Drop by our YouTube Channel today!