How can we trust God's plan when facing evil, as seen in 2 Kings 11:1? The Dark Moment in Judah “When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she rose up and destroyed all the royal heirs.” (2 Kings 11:1) God’s Unseen Hand Behind the Headlines • 2 Kings 11:2-3 reveals that Jehosheba “stole away Joash… and hid him… so that he was not killed.” • The child she protected carried the promise of the everlasting throne promised to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16). • Though Athaliah’s massacre looked final, God’s covenant could not be broken—He had already factored her evil into His redemptive plan. Covenant Assurance Over Chaos • God’s promises stand firmer than any plot of wickedness (Isaiah 14:27). • He had sworn a lamp for David’s line (Psalm 132:17); therefore a single surviving prince was all He needed to keep every word intact. • Evil may gain temporary ground, but it cannot overturn divine decrees. How to Trust God’s Plan When Evil Surges • Remember the wider story: every crisis fits within God’s unbreakable covenant purposes (Romans 8:28). • Notice the unlikely agents God uses—Jehosheba, a nurse, temple priests—reminding us He is never short of instruments (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). • A hidden season can be part of His strategy; Joash spent six years concealed before God’s timing brought him to the throne (2 Kings 11:3-4). • God limits evil’s reach; Athaliah’s sword could not find the one life that mattered most (Job 1:12). • Fix eyes on God’s character, not on the chaos: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1) Scriptures That Anchor Our Confidence • Genesis 50:20 — “You intended evil against me, but God intended it for good.” • Proverbs 19:21 — “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.” • Jeremiah 29:11 — “For I know the plans I have for you… plans for welfare and not for calamity.” • 2 Timothy 2:13 — “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” Living Out Trust Today • Meditate on God’s past deliverances; His track record fuels present faith. • Guard your heart from despair by rehearsing His promises aloud. • Serve faithfully where you are—like Jehosheba—knowing small obediences often safeguard God’s bigger plan. • Encourage others with these truths; shared confidence strengthens the whole community (Hebrews 10:23-25). |
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