When it comes to God, evildoers will always be found out. People cannot continue to walk in their wicked ways and think that they are right with the Lord. People may not know what they are doing behind closed doors, but God Almighty always does. Just like in the times of the Bible, these workers of iniquity are cut off from the presence of God, lest they repent. Examples of such people are the evil kings that resided over Israel and Judah. There were always consequences for their actions. One such person was Athaliah, who took over as Queen when her son, Jehoram, died of a plague that God put upon him and his family. He was not a person to do good in the sight of God, but evil, for he 1“caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.” (2 Chronicles 21:11) Where his mother 1“was his counsellor to do wickedly.” (2 Chronicles 22:3) And as you can imagine, this kind of family line will not be blessed by God, but receive their just punishments. As for her, Joash, the last member of the royal family, whom she killed, was ordered to be king in her stead by Jehoiada, the priest. Even 1“all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as the Lord hath said of the sons of David.” (2 Chronicles 23:3) The people were celebrating since the evil queen’s reign was soon going away and God’s new king would now rule over the people in Jerusalem. Therefore, the evil would soon be kicked out of God’s holy city, where the righteous of God would rule instead.
1“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. 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. Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the Lord: And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason.” (2 Chronicles 23:9-13) Now did what she say have any bearing because she was queen? Absolutely not. It is said that 1“Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth of the ranges: and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Slay her not in the house of the Lord. So they laid hands on her; and when she was come to the entering of the horse gate by the king’s house, they slew her there.” (2 Chronicles 23:14,15) Unfortunately, this had to happen in order for her tyranny to end.
1“And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the Lord’s people. Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. Also Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the Lord by the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of the Lord, to offer the burnt offerings of the Lord, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as it was ordained by David. And he set the porters at the gates of the house of the Lord, that none which was unclean in any thing should enter in. And he took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of the Lord: and they came through the high gate into the king’s house, and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom. And all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet, after that they had slain Athaliah with the sword.” (2 Chronicles 23:16-21) Praise the Lord, that the land was back in order with God. Even people were ministering in God’s house once again, and all the false idols were broken in pieces. This is God working in the lives of His people. Even the same things can happen when people begin to look to God in faith. Again, this is when the evildoers are found out by God and even man. Where, lest they repent, they will also experience the second death come judgment day, while they are cast in the lake of fire. Please think about this, and become a doer of God’s righteousness and not wickedness.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that people will understand the need to do Your will, even in these dark times that we are living in. I know how doing right and wrong has been skewed because of the world we live in, but all this can change when people begin to look to You in faith. It is then that all these worldly and evil deeds are able to become a thing of the past, where You give us eyes to see the wickedness in this world. Surely, without the Holy Spirit leading us, we are like everyone else, who is living for the flesh and not for You. People may think that they are doing that which is good in Your sight, but if You are not orchestrating their actions, it is all filthy rags, as Your Word says. That is why I plead for people to wake up to their sins and repent today. And if they have not already been baptized to set an appointment to get this done sooner right away. People need to commit their lives to follow You, and in baptism this is where it all takes place. Where the Holy Spirit becomes a part of who we are, day in and day out. This is the gift that people are missing, and I pray that this urgency to be born again becomes a reality in people’s minds before it is too late. And for those people that are baptized and are continuing to live out their own sinful lives apart from You, may they see how far they have fallen, and confess their sins openly to You, God. We all have a need to repent and be covered by Your blood. This is not a bad thing, but something that every person that is humble can see the need for. I love You, God. I also love it when You pick me back up again after I have fallen. This way I can follow You and not have to worry about doing what is right on my own anymore. In my own strength I am weak, but in You, I am strong. This I pray, in Your mighty Name, Jesus. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
