2 Chronicles 22:11
“But Jehoshabeath the king’s daughter took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king’s sons who were being put to death, and placed him and his nurse in the bedroom. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of King Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest (for she was the sister of Ahaziah), hid him from Athaliah so that she would not put him to death.”
Athaliah the queen was killing all those who could ascend to the throne. She was protecting her power. However, God kept a remnant, Joash. He was just a baby. Just like Herod was seeking to kill the young messiah, so the queen was killing all her competition.
Zephaniah 3:17 says, “The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.” God is mighty to save. The powers of the state were against this child. The queen was unaware of him. God kept him from her and prompted Jehoshabeath to rescue him and keep him hidden. She did this for six years.
Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:12, “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” There were times as a young christian that I felt fear that I would be swept away by my sin. That I couldn’t remain to in Christ. I can recall prayers in the night. Desperate ones. But here I am over forty years later still in Christ. He has kept me. God is mighty to save.
Romans 8:35-37 says, ‘Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or trouble, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Just as it is written: “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE KILLED ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE REGARDED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.’ This is amazing news. He can and will keep us.
We don’t have to worry. Quite the opposite we are to praise Him. This is a sign of trust. Philippians 4:6,7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Anxiety will creep in. We aren’t to allow it to have a home in our hearts. It’s a warning sign to pray and commit it to Him. Once we lay it upon the altar our job is usually done. Unless we have some responsibilities. We give Him thanksgiving. We do that before we see a resolution. It’s a sign that we trust Him.
The blessed result is that He gives us His peace. It’s a sign of His presence. That wonderful, abiding peace. The verse says this peace passes all understanding. That is it doesn’t make sense. We should be worried, but we’re not. The great hymn, “It is well” has this verse, ‘When peace like a river attendeth my way When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot Thou hast taught me to say, “It is well, it is well with my soul!”’ I love that description, “When peace like a river”. Rivers are so deep and powerful. Nothing anxious about them. So much momentum. Nothing will stop them. So the power of God in our lives achieves His will. The queen and the power of the state was eliminating all her competition. That’s intimidating. Who can compete with those resources and that power? God can and will. In fact He wants us to pray and give thanks for all He will do. He blesses us with His peace, even before the matter is resolved. Praise Him.
Thank You God for Your keeping power. You are able. You have kept me through all the years and the fears. Still in Christ. Thank You.