2 Chronicles 16:9 - Heavenly Manna

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 Chr 16:9 (NIV)

Judah and Israel never learned! Although God had delivered them even when
they were outnumbered (13:3 ff; 14:9 ff), they repeatedly sought help from
pagan nations rather than from God. That Asa sought help from Aram was
evidence of national spiritual decline. With help from God alone, Asa had
defeated the Cushites in open battle. But his confidence in God had slipped,
and now he sought only a human solution to his problem. When confronted by
the prophet Hanani, Asa threw him in prison, revealing the true condition of
his heart. It is not sin to use human means to solve our problems, but it is
sin to trust them more than God, to think they are better than God's ways,
or to leave God completely out of the problem-solving process. [Life
Application SB]

Even a vital, spiritual revival is no guarantee of continuing godliness. We
must be careful to keep our hearts fixed on God. Some 17 years after Asa
stimulated revival in Judah, the king himself failed to seek or to rely on
the LORD. Rather than trust God for victory when threatened by Israel, Asa
paid the Arameans (Syrians) to attack them, not knowing that the Syrians
would become an even greater threat in the future. When rebuked by a
prophet, Asa imprisoned him. He began to oppress others, and even when he
contracted a severe disease Asa failed to turn to the LORD.
What a warning for us. Just because we relied on the LORD in the past is no
guarantee of the future. The only way to ensure continued blessings is to
actively seek and trust God each new day.  [The 365-Day Devotional
Commentary]

Past history of reliance on God is not sufficient. The wrath of God was
expressed against the failure to trust and follow God's leading in a new
situation, even though God had proved sufficient and faithful in the past.
[Disciple SB]

God is displeased when he is distrusted, and when an arm of flesh is relied
on, more than his power and goodness. It is foolish to lean on a broken
reed, when we have the Rock of ages to rely upon. But see how deceitful our
hearts are! we trust in God when we have nothing else to trust to, when need
drives us to him; but when we have other things to stay on, we are apt to
depend too much on them. [Matthew Henry Commentary]

Spiritual decline begins whenever one of God's people neglects seeking God,
or fails to rely completely on Him.

Making use of physicians was Asa's duty; but trusting to them, and expecting
that from them which was to be had from God only, were his sin and folly. In
all conflicts and sufferings we need especially to look to our own hearts,
that they may be perfect towards God, by faith, patience, and obedience.
[Matthew Henry Commentary]

God's eyes are everywhere, always searching for those who are wholehearted
in service, that through them He might reveal His great power and perform
His wondrous works. Through the deeds of righteous men the world becomes
acquainted with the nature and power of God. [SDA Commentary]

God is seeking those who completely trust him so that he might reveal his
power. [Jamieson, Fausset, And Brown Commentary]

No problem can arise for God's people of which he is not aware, or from
which he will not deliver [Wycliffe Bible Commentary]

Like with so many verses, we read the first part and stop, thinking we
already know the rest.  We hear messages on this verse that do the same
thing - use the first phrase without going on.  Yes, the Lord sees all that
is going on in the world; yes, He sees the unspeakable atrocities, the
unimaginable sufferings, the undeniable sinfulness. But this verse of
Scripture isn't talking about that.  The Lord is aggressively seeking to
bless those who are living according to His standards.  He is anxious to
move mightily on behalf of those who have put Him first, who are surrendered
and committed.  Are you one of those whom the Lord is watching?  Surrender
your life and commit your way to Him and He will show Himself strong on your
behalf.  [In His Time; Walk With Wisdom]

The only way to guarantee tomorrow is to rely on God in every one of our
todays. [Victor Bible Reader's Companion]

"Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet
been done." [C.S. Lewis - The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]