How do we choose to trust God when everything seems out of control?

In today’s reading, the Kingdom of Judah has just been saddled with another ungodly, self-serving, wicked king – King Ahaziah. And perhaps the people of Jerusalem felt justified because there was really no one else left. But once again, wicked King Ahab’s legacy was perpetuated as the counsellors of the house of Ahab advised Ahaziah after the death of his father, Jehoram (who we read about yesterday). Also, Ahaziah’s mother, Athaliah (King Ahab and Jezebel’s daughter) ‘advised him to do wickedly’ (vs. 22:3). Looking at the surface, everything seems out of control, and I wonder if the Lord’s remnant were questioning ‘Lord, why are You allowing this?’

Yet, behind the scenes, God is working.

Referencing the word in 2 Kings 9 and 10, we see the first area of God’s breakthrough in this messy situation. As instructed by God, Elisha the prophet brings the Lord’s message to Jehu: ‘I have anointed you king over the people of the Lord, over Israel. You shall strike down the house of Ahab your master, that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets…For the whole house of Ahab shall perish…’(2 Kings 9:6-8). Consequently, ‘Jehu was executing judgment on the house of Ahab…killed Ahaziah’s brothers…then searched for Ahaziah…and killed him’ (vs 22:8-9).

We must remember, God is a God of justice.

Initially, things seem to go from bad to worse as Ahaziah’s mother, Athaliah, ‘arose and destroyed all the royal heirs of the house of Judah’ (22:10), taking the throne for herself. Yet, the Lord uses Athaliah’s sister, Jehoshabeath, to hide Ahaziah’s baby son, Joash. Had Ahaziah been killed earlier, Joash may not have been born. Any later could have meant Athaliah killing Joash along with her other grandchildren.

God is a God of perfect timing.

Here, at just the right time, the hidden young rightful king Joash is revealed through the strategic bravery of Jehoiada, the priest and the husband of Jehoshabeath. ‘In the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself and made a covenant with the captains of hundreds’ (23:1). They gathered the Levites from all Judah’s cities. They all ‘made a covenant with the king in the house of God saying, ‘the king’s son shall reign, as the Lord has said of the sons of David (vs 23:3). Then ensuring the young king’s safety, ‘they brought out the king’s son, put the crown on him, gave him the Testimony, and made him king’ (vs. 23:11). When Athaliah rushed out shouting ‘Treason!’, she was put to death. And all the people rejoiced!

God is not the God of confusion, but a God of order.

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Let us remember who our Lord God is…put on ‘Way Maker,’ and hand back the control to the One who loves you the most!