In the Know
Today’s Verse:
And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him. ~2 Chronicles 23:1
When it comes to information sharing, it’s important to be “in the know”. This means you are privy to insider information about something that is beneficial to you. Jehoaida means “Jehovah knows”. Perhaps his mother named him because she was encouraged by the omniscience of God, that is, God is all-knowing. It could be she gave him his name because her prayer was the Lord knows Jehoiada will need to be dependent upon Him. Would you notice some things that indicate to us he was in the know?
Jehoiada was a shelter.
“But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king’s sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. 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 slew him not. And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.” Together with his wife, they took little Joash and hid him from wicked Athaliah. For six years they hid him in the house of God. He became a father to Joash and helped prepare him for the eventual day he would become king. Fathers and men of God must help shelter the hearts of young men and women from sinful influences. They must see that which is virtuous and right if they are to have any chance of becoming someone God can use.
Jehoiada took his stand.
“Moreover Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David’s, which were in the house of God. And he set all the people, every man having his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple, along by the altar and the temple, by the king round about.” In the seventh year of Joash, Jehoiada took a stand against Athaliah. He led a coup against her wicked devices. Jehoiada knew that many in the kingdom of Judah were not in agreement with Athaliah’s wickedness. He took a stand that could have resulted in his death. “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13).
Jehoiada was stirred.
“Then they brought out the king’s son, and put upon him the crown, and gave him the testimony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, God save the king.” He was stirred in his heart and mind that the rightful king would sit on the throne. He was stirred about making a needed change. He was stirred to fight for right. He was stirred that sin would no longer prevail. What stirs you? What lights a fire within you for God and for his kingdom? Are you stirred for the glory of God? Are you stirred to get the gospel out to sinners?
Jehoaida was strong.
He strengthened himself at the right time. God knew he had fear. God knew he felt pressure. However, he made himself strong. He was strong in faith. He was strong in his praying. He was strong in his convictions. He was strong about his loyalty to God and His work. Problems and setbacks are God’s gifts so that we learn to be strong.
Jehoiada was in the know when he was needed most. Be in the know this morning. Know what it is God expects you to do. Say like Paul, “that I might know him and the power of his resurrection.”
Have an insider’s God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Genesis 41-42