The Word:
range
verb
ranged; ranging
1a: to set in a row or in the proper order
b: to place among others in a position or situation
c: to assign to a category : CLASSIFY
2a: to rove over or through – “how blessed you will be, sowing your seed by every stream, and letting your cattle and donkeys range free.” Isaiah 32:20
b: to sail or pass along
3: to arrange (an anchor cable) on deck
4: to graze (livestock) on a range
Focal Passage:
“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. ”
2 Chronicles 16:9a
Are you seeking God? He’s seeking you with omniscient eyes, eyes that know all things, past, present and future. God knows whose heart will be fully committed to Him and those are the hearts He ranges throughout the earth seeking. It’s not “predestination”, it’s “praescitis”, known in advance. There’s a difference. Predestination precludes freewill, and knowledge that is praescitis does not. We all must choose of our own freewill, but God knows in advance what choice we will make. This is why God puts so much emphasis on spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because, as it says in Romans 10:14, “How can they believe who haven’t heard?”
Seeking those whose hearts are “fully committed” is important to God because He seeks a people who will spend eternity with Him in a loving relationship defined by all the principles of agape’ love set down in 1Corinthians 13. Eternity is a very long time to be together. God does not want a repeat of His experience with the angels. Like the rebelling angels, those who do not love Him in this way would not want to spend eternity with Him, and they will get their wish. As for you and I, we get to choose our own way. Will you love Him? Can you love Him? He seeks you out. He sends His Son to stand at the door of your heart and knock. Will you respond? God already knows the answer, but you must choose.
Prayer:
Father: open our eyes and help us to see Your Truth, that we might choose wisely, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Castaways Point 