“Athaliah was the mother of Ahaziah. When she saw that her son was dead, she took over. She began by massacring the entire royal family. 2 But Jehosheba, daughter of King Joram and sister of Ahaziah, took Ahaziah’s son Joash and kidnapped him from among the king’s sons slated for slaughter. She hid him and his nurse in a private room away from Athaliah. He didn’t get killed. 3 He was there with her, hidden away for six years in The Temple of God. Athaliah, oblivious to his existence, ruled the country…… 12 Then the priest brought the prince into view, crowned him, handed him the scroll of God’s covenant, and made him king. As they anointed him, everyone applauded and shouted, “Long live the king!” …….21 Joash was seven years old when he became king. 2 Kings 11:1-21 (MSG)
Wicked and ambitious people could go to any length because of positions, power or authority. This was the case of Athaliah as demonstrated in the passage above.
Who would have thought a mother/grandmother could do such a wicked thing just because she wanted to ascend the throne? However, this is not a farfetched scenario in this present world. Wickedness and desperation have driven many people to do wicked and unimaginable things all because of what they wanted (position, influence, power, opportunity, connections etc).
This even happens in the Church! Today, there are stories of so called brethren trying to eliminate or side-track other brethren in order to get to certain positions! So many evils are perpetuated all because of certain perceived benefits.
My focus on the above passage is actually about a young lad whose destiny was preserved because God raised for him a helper of his destiny! This young lad was Joash, the son of Ahaziah, a toddler at that particular period when the sword of death was swinging across the palace and the entire royal family was being massacred. Joash was one of those slated for slaughter.
Yet, in the midst of the mayhem, an innocent and ignorant child was spared (not because he knew what to do to escape but because God sent help into his life)! He didn’t get killed, not because he knew how to run fast or how to hide well…NO! His was just a divine intervention.
As I meditated on this, I wondered how the young toddler was made to keep silent for 6 years in a room in the temple without the pranks associated with toddlers and little children. I wonder if he never cried out as a toddler or a growing little boy wanting to go out to play in the open. He was successfully managed for six years without the destroyer knowing or seeing him until he was old enough to sit on the throne at the tender age of 7! God raised not just Jehosheba (her Aunty), but also her nurse, the priest and a few others to make sure his destiny was preserved and he got to the throne that was meant for him.
What if Jehosheba had only just fled the sword of Athaliah without caring to save the young toddler’s life? Nobody would have queried her, but it seemed the destiny of this boy was attached to her obedience and action. Thank God she obeyed the prompting! She saved a future King! She preserved a destiny! She contributed to the program of God for her generation by taking such a bold step and risk! Her name is often not mentioned but Heaven recognizes her contribution. Only eternity would reveal the consequences of her contribution to God’s program in her generation by that singular brave action! I believe for sure she will not go unrewarded because God is not unfaithful to forget every labour of love.
Likewise, everyone today, who responds to God’s assignment of destiny deliverance, help and preservation. ( Be assured that Heaven recognises you and you shall not miss your reward. Amen!)
As I meditate further, I cannot but thank God for the destiny that was preserved. The young boy knew nothing about the danger that surrounded him but God who sees all things sent help his way! His help was orchestrated from above.
Even though he was slated for slaughter, he escaped it!
God sent a helper of his destiny to him and so he was not killed at a tender age. He lived to fulfil his purpose on Earth because God intervened in his matters! (May God intervene in your affairs. Amen)
There are destinies that are attached to our prompt obedience and action. There are souls to rescue, there are souls to save! There are people whose survival are attached to our actions, swiftness and faithful commitment. May God also make me and you helpers of other people’s destiny. Amen!
Likewise, only God alone knows how so many people He has used to hide us from the sword of the enemy of our destinies in the past. God raises people to help us in ways we do not know often times but how beautiful to know He is interested in and committed to our success in life and destiny.
O that God would continue to raise helpers for me and you until we completely fulfil the purpose for which we are here on Earth. Amen!
From the desk of FunmiAdebayo Journals, I warmly welcome you to year 2021…May you be divinely helped from Heaven above this year and beyond. Amen!
©Funmi Adebayo