PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: 2 Kings 11-12
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“He remained hidden at the temple of the LORD for six years while Athaliah ruled.” (2 Kings 11:3)
Here we see how God is protecting and preparing Joash to be a deliverer for His people.
This happens more often in the bible: God hiding a young child hidden from a cruel leader
Joseph, Moses and Jesus were all hidden in Egypt to one day help God’s people.
There are two thoughts that come to mind as I read this.
First, God always has an ‘ace in the hole’, an advantage others don’t know about.
No matter how bleak things may look, God is up to something.
He has a hidden plan – right under our nose – that will one day turn things around.
Faith believes this, and the result is hope.
A second lesson is that I can be the one in hiding, that God will use to help others.
God calls and equips all of us to help others, to be an unexpected blessing!
When I make myself available to the Lord, and follow Him in grace and love…
I can be that “good news” to others in darkness – like Joash, Joseph, Moses and Jesus.
Be encouraged, God has something up His sleeve.
Be a blessing, God can use you to encourage others in their despair.
PRAYER
Lord, right now I am feel a little gloomy, but this gives me hope. Help me to cling to hope, and to share it with others!
Seems to me that Joash did some things right and out of a conviction to restore the worship of God – yet it seems not ‘heart felt’ and weak. When Aram is ready to attack Jerusalem – instead of going to the temple and going to ask God what he should do – he goes and buys of Hazeal – more of a trade exercise using his own resources to appease Aram but not tapping in the sovereign God of the universe. It’s disappointing. In my own life, how often do I just lean on my own resources and react without praying and consulting with God! It too is weak. It is God who enables me to be strong when I am weak!
God continues to raise up those who fear His name and do His works. And He still does that today. He continues to raise followers to proclaim His Good News and do His will. Word and deed ministry. May His kingdom continue to grow throughout 2021 by His followers doing His will, serving Him.
Make me a servant
Humble and meek
Lord let me lift up
Those who are weak
And may the prayer
Of my heart always be
Make me a servant
Make me a servant
Make me a servant today