GOD’S PLAN

GOD’S PLAN

Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal family. But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the king’s sons who were being put to death, and she put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Thus they hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not put to death. And he remained with her six years, hidden in the house of the LORD, while Athaliah reigned over the land. But in the seventh year Jehoiada sent and brought the captains of the Carites and of the guards, and had them come to him in the house of the LORD. And he made a covenant with them and put them under oath in the house of the LORD, and he showed them the king’s son.  —II Kings 11:1-4 

Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign. —II Kings 11:21

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.  He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. —Psalm 103:8-10

            My wife and I went to see “Unplanned” last night.  It is a movie based on the life of Abby Johnson who had overseen thousands of abortions.  Life is precious and the adversary hates life as he hates God and His people, regardless of what time we live in.

            In the context of the verses above Athaliah destroyed the lives of a royal family.  She would have killed infant Joash as well, “But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the king’s sons who were being put to death, and she put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Thus they hid him from Athaliah so that he was not put to death.”  Jehosheba hid Joash when he was an infant just as Moses was hidden from those who would have killed him (Exodus 2:1-6).  There are those who need to “they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will” (II Timothy 2:26).  They need “repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.” 

            Look how patient the Lord is!  But… He will not “keep His anger forever.”  As a nation or individual, do we think that He is not concerned with the slaughter of innocent lives for “the love of money” (I Timothy 6:10), power positions (Luke 22:25) or convenience (Proverbs 21:2)?  Judgment will come as it did with Athaliah in the context of the verses above.  She was executed.  The Lord’s patience will run out… judgment will come and more than likely already has with all the national problems we have.  He is withdrawing His hand…

One point, among many, brought out in this movie is that there are 75% fewer abortions taking place when people are present praying outside the clinic.  So…what will we do?  Jehosheba risked her very life to save infant Joash from slaughter.  We still have the freedom to act in this country.  Will we?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX5v8L0MSPk

Dear Father may the church which Jesus is the head of be obedient to Him.  May we be what You want us to be and do what You want us to do.  May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttXoXMBfZ8Q