31 Faith-Building LessonsSample

LESSON 20

Let God Show Himself Strong

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

2 Chronicles 16:9

God is looking for a people that will allow Him to show Himself strong. He desires to do great and mighty things on behalf of His people, but many times, He has not been given the opportunity.

In our modern society, man has become more dependent upon technology, scientific discoveries, politics, and economic systems rather than relying on the power of God to sustain him. But GOD’S WAY STILL WORKS!

God says He is looking for someone who will let Him show Himself strong. In fact, He is declaring His need for man and His dependence upon Him as a channel through which He can exert His power in the earth.

What kind of person is God looking for? A person WHOSE HEART IS PERFECT TOWARD HIM. The word perfect is defined as pure, clean, upright, complete and devoted. The Moffatt translation of 2 Chronicles 16:9 reads: For the Eternal’s eyes dart here and there over the whole world, as he exerts his power on behalf of those who are devoted to him.

Did you notice that Moffatt substituted the word devoted for the word perfect, which is found in the King James Version? It would help us to determine exactly who God is looking for if we can discover the meaning of the word devoted.

To be devoted to someone or something is to be dedicated, consecrated, loyal and faithful. Therefore, God is looking for someone who is dedicated, consecrated, loyal and faithful. To what is this person devoted? He is devoted to God and His plan for the world.

I am convinced that many people are struggling with their needs simply because they are more interested in themselves than they are in God and His plan for mankind. GOD WANTS TO SHOW HIMSELF STRONG, BUT HE CANNOT DO SO IN THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO ARE SELFISH. 2 Chronicles 20:33 says: Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.

How can you get involved in God’s cause? By devoting yourself to Him, by making yourself available to Him? You can start by becoming an INTERCESSOR. An intercessor is an unselfish person. Why? Because intercessory prayer is always directed towards others rather than yourself. INTERCESSORS ARE DEVOTED PEOPLE.

What did God say that He would do if He found a devoted person? SHOW HIMSELF STRONG!

Would you like for God to show Himself strong in your behalf? Say in your heart right now, “God, search no more. Here am I. I want to be pure, clean, and upright in my heart. I want to be dedicated, consecrated, loyal, and faithful to Your cause. I make a quality decision to become an intercessor.”

I think too many times in the past, we have taken the power of intercessory prayer too lightly. God said in Ezekiel 22:30, And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land…

God is saying that an intercessor stands in the gap and can literally build up a hedge against the adversary. The word hedge is defined as a barrier, a border, or a restricted area.

You have the ability as an intercessor to establish a hedge around those for whom you are interceding. Think about it, A RESTRICTED AREA WHICH THE DEVIL CANNOT PENETRATE!

Some of you may be thinking, “But what about my needs? How will they be met if I’m spending all my time praying for others?” It’s very simple. GOD WILL SHOW HIMSELF STRONG. While you are interceding for others, He will see to it that someone is interceding for you. It has never failed, as I have given my prayer time for others; God has always met my needs.

James 5:16 tells us just how powerful intercessory prayer is: The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

I really like The Amplified Bible’s translation of this verse:

Confess to one another therefore you faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of a mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].

Read that again! Tremendous power, dynamic in its working. I have personally witnessed this kind of power in my life as a result of devoting myself to God as an intercessor. It is simply magnificent what God is able to do when we allow Him to show Himself strong.

Jesus was, and actually still is, an intercessor for mankind. He came into this earth as an Intercessor, and God manifested His power continually in Jesus’ behalf. Isaiah 59:16 tells us, And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.

Jesus was God’s Arm and His Intercessor Who stood in the gap for mankind. Hebrews 7:25 states: He ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Today, God wants us to become intercessors. The Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 6:18:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

LET’S NOT BE SELFISH, BUT LET’S GIVE OURSELVES SO THAT GOD CAN SHOW HIMSELF STRONG.

Why don’t you become an intercessor today, and LET GOD SHOW HIMSELF STRONG IN YOUR BEHALF!