In 2 Chronicles 25:2, Amaziah is said to have done "what was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a loyal heart".
At first glance it sounds like Amaziah was a great guy. He "did" what was right...and at first glance the English translation paints a great picture of someone really working hard to do what the LORD wanted him to do. But according to the Strong's Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek words, this word for "right" can mean "straight" or "convenient". It just made me begin to think - a lot - about whether I "do" what is "convenient" in the sight of the Lord. One of the definitions in Strong's for the word "sight" is "outward appearance". That makes me think even more. Am I only doing what is "right" to make an "outward appearance"? It does not sound too good after all. It really begins to be convicting when the rest of the statement is read "...but not with a loyal heart."
As one who is "Called Out" to have a place of influence in the lives of others, does all my "doing" simply wind up as an outward appearance of convenience with the cold reality that my heart is not even loyal to the Lord? The rest of the story in 2 Chronicles 25 portrays that type of life for Amaziah. The result was that he drifted farther and farther from the Lord.
We are told in the Word of God that we are to guard our hearts. We are also told that the heart is desperately wicked and deceitful above all things. It asks the question as to who can know it (Jer. 17:9). Because my heart is deceitful and wicked, how can I ever know if it is loyal or not to the Lord? The next verse in Jeremiah gives us the answer, "I, the Lord know the heart."
If God knows my heart (and He does), then I need to continue to go to Him in prayer and ask Him to test or try my heart. I desperately need Him to give me an undivided heart (Psalm 86:11).
I know I have much to consider before my God.
What about you?
