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Relying on the Running Eyes of God

  • Abigail Wallace
  • August 2, 2022
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“The results were abnormal. We’ll need to take a closer look. Scheduling will call tomorrow.” I thanked the doctor and hung up.

My mind raced. I imagined the worst. My fingers itched to google the best experts in my region. But I didn’t want to commit King Asa’s folly. I wanted to rely on God.

Asa was a king of Judah who was rescued from an invading army because he relied on God. But in danger again, Asa failed. This time, he relied on a neighbor king for help.

Enter the prophet Hanani who called King Asa out, “You have done foolishly in this” (2 Chronicles 16:9b). To rely on anything less than God for ultimate help would be foolish.

Why? Because of God’s running eyes.

“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 16:9a).

God sees. His eyes are running. One Bible teacher called it “aggressive searching.” God is not passive or reluctant. He’s ready, eager, and His eyes are racing—scanning, roaming, seeking—everywhere, looking for people to help.

There’s not a place on the planet He cannot see. “The whole earth” means He sees me. He sees you. Our merciful God wants to help us, if we fully rely on Him.

That’s what blameless means. It doesn’t mean sinless. It means “whole-hearted.” God is racing to support those whose hearts trust Him as a first defense not a last resort. He loves to showcase His power by strengthening the weak. At this very moment, God is seeking opportunities to support those who have a whole-hearted trust in His help.

This is our God, with the running eyes.

Will you rely on Him?

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Abigail Wallace

Abigail is a Bible teacher and writer whose greatest joys come from helping women grow strong in their faith as they learn to see through their "hard" to the loving hand of God. Abigail lives in a little house in the big woods of Wisconsin with her husband and two sons. She loves to stalk sunsets, walk with friends, and mark all over books as she reads. Sign up for more soul-strengthening, biblical encouragement at AbigailWallace.com or follow her on Facebook or Instagram.

42 comments
  1. Cyndi says:
    August 2, 2022 at 5:52 am

    What a beautiful reminder to rely on God!

    Reply
    1. Abigail says:
      August 2, 2022 at 11:27 am

      Hallelujah! What a good God!
      Thank you.

      Reply
    2. Abigail Wallace says:
      August 2, 2022 at 1:36 pm

      Thank you. What a strong, kind God we serve.

      Reply
  2. Nikki S. White says:
    August 2, 2022 at 5:55 am

    Oh, wow! Thank you, Abigail!

    I have heard so many names and attributes of God, but somehow missed His “running eyes”. I will never forget that He is not just glancing my way, He is searching my heart and sees me.

    OK, I have to say it again. Wow!

    Love in Christ,
    Nikki

    Reply
    1. Abigail Wallace says:
      August 2, 2022 at 1:38 pm

      Thank you, Nikki. Running, roaming, seeking, looking. However we say it, God is eager to help his needy, trusting children. What a God!

      Reply
  3. Jen Boucher says:
    August 2, 2022 at 7:10 am

    What a beautiful reminder to rely on God. “To rely on anything less than God for ultimate help would be foolish.” Indeed and amen! Thanks for pointing me towards Christ with your words.

    Reply
    1. Abigail Wallace says:
      August 2, 2022 at 1:41 pm

      Thank you, Jen! He is the Rock eternal!

      Not to us, Lord, not to us
      but to your name be the glory,
      because of your love and faithfulness.
      Psalm 115:1

      Reply
  4. Precious Mast says:
    August 2, 2022 at 7:22 am

    Amen, cousin I’m SO thankful for the “running eyes of God.” He sees, He knows, He cares. Grateful for a faithful Father.

    Reply
    1. Abigail Wallace says:
      August 2, 2022 at 1:42 pm

      Thank you, Precious. He is so good! He does see, He does know.

      “I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love,
      because you have seen my affliction;
      you have known the distress of my soul,
      and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
      you have set my feet in a broad place.”
      Psalm 31:7-8

      Reply
  5. Mina says:
    August 2, 2022 at 7:24 am

    Often when I read “running” in Scripture, it’s referring to me (running from God like Jonah or running the race like Paul encourages) but here it’s describing God and His constant pursuit of us. He is looking for those of us who need help! HERE GOD, PICK ME!!! Thank you Abigail for always pointing us to God! Love this new reminder!!!

    Reply
    1. Abigail Wallace says:
      August 2, 2022 at 1:43 pm

      I love that Mina. Love it, “HERE GOD, PICK ME!” I’m right there with you.

      Reply
  6. SARAH says:
    August 2, 2022 at 7:31 am

    Loved the definition of BLAMELESS. This makes so much more sense as to why so many OT writers claimed “blamelessness.” That gives a new perspective to remind me to turn to God whole-heartedly. I don’t always “feel sinless,” and can “feel” disqualified from God’s help… BUT I CAN turn to God, knowing he looks out for my good.

    Reply
    1. Abigail Wallace says:
      August 2, 2022 at 1:44 pm

      I’m glad that helped. I know I needed to study that one out. It can be such a barrier to claiming God’s promises if we think we must be sinless.

      Reply
  7. MJ Wallace says:
    August 2, 2022 at 7:48 am

    I need constant “nudges” to Trust God wholeheartedly. Thank you for this poignant & necessary reminder!

    Reply
    1. Abigail Wallace says:
      August 2, 2022 at 1:45 pm

      Thank you, MJ. I can use all the “nudges” I can get.

      Reply
  8. Hope Stumpf says:
    August 2, 2022 at 8:58 am

    Amen! Beautiful are the truths from God’s word and thank you Abby for being faithful through the Holy Spirit’s strength to speak them again and again. Had to smile at what you shared, since this is what stood out to me this morning as I read, Psalm 119:32 “I will RUN in the way of Your commandments
    WHEN YOU enlarge my heart!” Clearly running is the theme the Spirit is speaking and I rejoice in how He uses things my heart connects with. Thank you Abby!

    Reply
    1. Abigail Wallace says:
      August 2, 2022 at 1:46 pm

      Thank you, Hope. His Word is such nourishing food. I love the “running” connection. Eyes, legs…active!

      Reply
  9. Jackie says:
    August 2, 2022 at 12:32 pm

    This is a VERY timely reminder to ask for God’s wisdom and help rather than trying to manufacture my own solutions… Especially in the midst of what I’ve been dealing with lately. ♥️

    Reply
    1. Abigail Wallace says:
      August 2, 2022 at 1:49 pm

      Dear Jackie,
      Thank you for commenting in the midst of your need.
      May God strengthen you. God sees, God knows…

      Psalm 31:7-8, “You have seen my affliction;
      you have known the distress of my soul,
      and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
      you have set my feet in a broad place.”

      A broad place awaits.

      Reply
  10. PMTSM says:
    August 2, 2022 at 1:16 pm

    While God’s eyes are running, he never takes them off of us. Beautiful reminders in this post. Blessings to you, Abigail!

    Reply
    1. Abigail Wallace says:
      August 2, 2022 at 1:52 pm

      Thank you. Yes, so good to know the One who watches over us, never slumbers or sleeps.

      Reply
  11. Teri Rubach says:
    August 2, 2022 at 4:36 pm

    Amen!
    Just knowing that God is constantly searching out ways to solve problems is so comforting!

    Reply
    1. Abigail Wallace says:
      August 2, 2022 at 5:12 pm

      Thanks, Teri. I so agree. Believing this is a source of rest and relief!

      Reply
  12. Susanne says:
    August 2, 2022 at 5:46 pm

    Well said! Beautiful reminder that His eyes run to/over us even when our own are running in the opposite direction.

    Reply
    1. Abigail says:
      August 2, 2022 at 8:38 pm

      “While he was still far away, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him affectionately.” What a Father!

      Reply
  13. Marita says:
    August 2, 2022 at 8:56 pm

    Beautiful! I’m so happy to know that God pursues us and still makes intercession for us! Hebrews 7:25 I’m also thankful that His eyes are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to our cries. Thankful to God that we never have to journey through life alone. He sees us and will always be with us! Hugs!❤️

    Reply
    1. Abigail says:
      August 3, 2022 at 8:41 am

      Amen and amen! What a great, good we serve! Thanks, Marita.

      Reply
  14. Cora Bushey says:
    August 3, 2022 at 8:46 am

    So true and encouraging! Hagar came to mind when you shared about God seeing us. “So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.” – Genesis 16:13
    El roi, the God who sees us. What a great comfort!
    “I wanted to rely on God.” Yes, trusting God for the unknown and the difficult. I have a tendency to try and figure things out on my own putting together the best plan, response, and going into “action” mode. I want my first response to be, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6

    Reply
    1. Abigail says:
      August 3, 2022 at 10:38 am

      So good. That is a great connection El Roi, the God who sees. Thank you.

      Reply
  15. Christin says:
    August 3, 2022 at 9:00 am

    God’s Providence is all over this. His eyes and hands, His seeing and doing, His watching and working in your life and in all of us. I love what you said about how God “loves to showcase His power by strengthening the weak” and “is seeking opportunities to support those who have a whole-hearted trust in His help.” A great reminder to, as you said, “trust Him as a first defense not as a last resort.” Such faith-strengthening, comforting Truth!

    Reply
    1. Abigail says:
      August 3, 2022 at 10:45 am

      Thanks, Christin. Isn’t that the best: When we are weaker He looks stronger when He helps us? “Therefore I will boast the more gladly in my weakness,” Paul wrote.

      Reply
  16. Janice says:
    August 3, 2022 at 3:57 pm

    Abigail! Such a beautiful devotion and reminder to turn to God first. Thank you for aharing your heart and words.

    Reply
    1. Abigail says:
      August 3, 2022 at 5:07 pm

      Thank you, Janice, for reading and commenting. I assure you that this promise is a source of strength in these waiting days. Joy to you!

      Reply
  17. Cindy says:
    August 4, 2022 at 6:24 pm

    Abigail, these words are very encouraging: the words of Scripture and those you wrote, which draw us deeper in to contemplate the passage.

    “He’s ready, eager, and His eyes are racing—scanning, roaming, seeking—everywhere, LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO HELP.” It brought to mind the stark contrast of “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO DEVOUR.” Because of the former, we need not fear the latter.

    Lord Jesus, I’m so grateful that blameless does not mean sinless. Please help me to be whole-hearted. You are so worthy of my trust.

    Reply
    1. Abigail says:
      August 5, 2022 at 7:06 am

      Dear Cindy,
      Thank you. I love that connection. Two sets of eyes LOOKING FOR. Hallelujah for what you said because of the former, we need not fear the latter.

      Reply
  18. Charissa says:
    August 6, 2022 at 7:03 am

    Our merciful God wants to help us, if we fully rely on Him.
    Yes! Thank you, Abigail!

    Reply
    1. Abigail says:
      August 6, 2022 at 4:07 pm

      Thanks, Charissa. There is here that “if.”
      But He is always merciful!

      Reply
  19. Hannah :) says:
    August 6, 2022 at 8:06 am

    Until I read this devo, I didn’t realize how much I needed the reminder that God is not begrudging or stingy in giving help, but rather is eager and strongly desires to give help and strength. I can rest (like Ps 131:2) in light of that reality.

    Reply
    1. Abigail says:
      August 6, 2022 at 4:08 pm

      Isn’t that wonderful? It just makes me want to trust Him more. What a God. Thank you , Hannah.

      Reply
      1. Hannah says:
        August 8, 2022 at 1:41 pm

        🙂 Amen.

        Reply
  20. Kat says:
    August 14, 2022 at 7:43 am

    I’ll never put on running shoes the same way again! As He rind for me I’ll run for Him wholeheartedly. Thank you for using your gift to bless others. It is extraordinary. Continuing in prayer my friend.

    Reply
    1. Abigail Wallace says:
      August 14, 2022 at 2:16 pm

      Thanks, Kat. Yes, I’m so glad our running shoes can’t outrun our strong God’s eyes!

      Reply

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