2 Chronicles 16:9
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. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. 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. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
The running to and fro of the eyes of the Lord means He is omnipresent and ever present throughout the whole earth, looking upon every individual to observe, inspect and examine all things. Nothing escapes that inspection, for it takes in every deed with every concealed motive and thought. His searching gaze reads every heart as an open book, knowing what is hidden in every mind and understanding the imaginations of the thoughts.
With that perfect knowledge He is ready to show Himself strong and to give strength on behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him, meaning fully devoted and wholly loyal to Him. The word was spoken to Asa, who had trusted God against the Ethiopians and the Lubims and God had delivered them into his hand, but when later threatened by Israel he relied on Syria, even on the king of Syria, instead of relying on God. That failure of trust was rebuked by the prophet as foolish. The closing declaration that he would have wars from henceforth means his foolish choice would bring continuing wars and conflict and trouble, warning that God deals with people according to their actions when they turn from Him and act against His will.
His earthward sight includes sincere seekers among every nation, even those who do not know the written law or Jesus, with divine grace already working in their minds and characters as they seek light and knowledge. He sees His people rescued from the fire by Jesus Christ in their sense of sin and humble shame, recognizes their repentance, notes their sorrow for sin they cannot themselves remove or cancel, and hears their prayers. Their sins are not beyond His notice, but Christ intercedes for them to bring pardon and to clothe them with righteousness. Satan resists this work by accusing the repentant and trying to weaken their faith, but Christ calls them to trust His light and righteousness.
The verse shows that God has not lost His love toward men but it is still directed earthward, and He has not lost His desire to show Himself strong for His people in behalf of righteousness and truth. He remains the source of all light and power from whom much is to be expected. Those who plant the gospel with eyes fixed on the cross of Calvary and the uplifted Saviour, relying on His grace and believing His promise to be with them to the end of the world as shield and strength and efficiency, will find Him strong for them. They may trust Him for strength and victory in their work, so distrust and unbelief have no ground, because in giving Jesus to save His inheritance from ruin He gave all the resources of heaven to all who receive Jesus as personal Saviour.
The same all-seeing gaze means God as Judge of all the earth will try every man's case with no respect of persons and render to every man according to his works. Human eyes can be deceived and earthly courts can fail for lack of evidence, but in the court of heaven there will be no lack of evidence. He who offered salvation to the sinner and died that man might partake of the divine nature will one day judge the thoughts and deeds of all and acquit or condemn before the Father and the holy angels.