Knowing Where To Look

2 Chronicles 26:5 And he SOUGHT God in the days of Zachariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he SOUGHT the Lord, God MADE HIM to prosper.

Twice in the same verse is the word “sought”. Only once in the verse do we see the word “prosper”. Four times in the verse God is mentioned. This verse is all about PRIORITY and PERSPECTIVE. In religious circles today one word in this verse would stand head and shoulders above the rest. That word being “prosper”. You and I should know and understand that God wishes above all things that we prosper and be in health even as our soul prospereth, 3 John 2. This passage clearly shows God’s pecking order when it’s time for us to get blessed.

FOUR times the name of God is mentioned in this single verse. Why? Knowing WHERE to look is valued above “what” we are looking for. Did you notice the word “prosper” is at the end of the verse? What is the Lord saying to us today? The primary reason the Lord’s name is mentioned FOUR times is because EVERYTHING starts and stops with Him. Psalms 24:1 sets the record straight lest we get it twisted by stating, The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein. God is the source and resource of EVERYTHING! Seeking Him for who He is the right perspective and seeking Him for His will to be done is the right priority.

We should know that God is concerned about US and how we live our lives before Him. Unlike our religious society today which places emphasis on the dollar amount you sow into a ministry that determines your prosperity and breakthrough level. Not so with God. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t support various ministries and charities, but they, according to our text today, aren’t the source of our real blessing.

The word SOUGHT is mentioned twice before we get to the word prosper. Notice carefully that after the word SOUGHT, comes God both times it’s used. When we realize how much we NEED Him in our day to day life, we might not be reminded at that moment to ask for material things. When in His presence, tears of joy begin to flow. Knowing how wretched and undone we are, yet God forgives us time and time again. Oh what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, I John 3:1-3. It is during relational moments like this when the heart of God is sought because you love Him and want to PLEASE Him. Now, we are lining up with God, seeking His will for us, then watching Him unfold to us His plans and purpose.

The operative word is SOUGHT. In Hebrew, it comes from the word “hayah”, which means “to become”, “to take place”, “to happen”. Get this, it indicates that something HAS OCCURRED or COME ABOUT. The Hebrew form of the verb asserts that SOMETHING came to pass or SOMETHING that comes into being or arises. I feel like shouting right about now! What God is saying is this, if you place emphasis on “prospering” first, then you’ve missed your blessing. When He is SOUGHT FIRST, that which He knows YOU NEED has already happened IN His mind FOR YOU. Notice the latter part of the verse, which stresses what He does for us. Pleaseeee don’t miss this! God MADE HIM TO PROSPER or gave Him success. To get to this level with God is based on who He is and our willingness to keep on seeking Him for who He is and not what we get from Him.

You are connected to the God who moves on your behalf. Because you love and need Him, He will “TOUCH HEARTS” because you have TOUCHED HIS. Your love and obedience propels Him to act and act swiftly because you’re seeking Him. He makes everything you touch BENEFIT you and BLESS others. He brings pre-inspected and pre-determined Prosperity that you and I can handle without losing our souls.
Amen!