Holding on to hope during the grim dark days after the promise has been given. Clinging in desperation to assurance before the reality of a promise kept is where God’s people are found on numerous occasions.
The people of Judah faced just such dark days. Ahaziah was the king. The commentary of Scripture declares that he did evil in the sight of the Lord. Something needed to be done to turn the country back to God.
“And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God…..But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.” II Chronicles 22:7 & 10
II Chronicles 22:7 & 10
Yes, the evil king was destroyed. On the other hand, life was not getting better. In fact it grew worse. They had wanted a deliverer from the evil. Instead they got evil personified. Despair and doubt seeped into their very pores as the story unfolded before their eyes.
The Promise Broken
The people of Judah watched as the life of the royal seed was snuffed out one by one. Athaliah’s scheme to become queen included the death of all of the Davidic line. She wanted no usurper waiting in the wings. The blood of many was on her hands. The promise that a Deliverer would come from David’s line became to the people of Judah a promise broken as the reality of the reign of Athaliah became a nightmare of darkness.
The reality to the people of Israel was what they saw. They caved into despair and defeat because their eyes told them that all hope was lost. God had given a promise for a Deliverer through David’s line. Athaliah had cut off the remaining branches from David’s family tree. She had thwarted God’s plan for the promised Messiah. Consequently, there was no hope. Six long years Athaliah reigned on the premise that she was bigger and stronger than God. She reigned in opposition to God and all He stood for. These were years of fear, hopelessness and despair.
The Promise Kept
Despite the desolate reality that the people lived with, it was not God’s reality. God was still in charge. He was still working. In fact, God’s promise of the Messiah was still a promise to be clung to in spite of what it looked like. You see, the thread through David’s line of promise had not been excised completely. God’s promise was wrapped up in a one year old boy, stolen from his room in the dark of night and hidden in the house of God. When all was hopeless, God still reigned Sovereign. God had made a promise and all the combined powers of hell and earth could not thwart His Word.
Within the temple of God, Joash was instructed in the Torah. He became a student of the Word. Joash was God’s answer to a world that had lost hope of God’s promise being kept. David’s line had not been extinguished as the general populace believed. The promise given, was still a promise kept in spite of not knowing it to be so. At six years of age, Joash was anointed king. Death came to Athaliah and her reign of despair was broken. The link to the Promised Messiah continued unbroken.
Promised Truths
Have there been times in your life when it seems that God has not kept the promises He has given? Have you faced soul crushing doubt? Are you in the midst of an overwhelming heartbreak in your life? Do your anxious thoughts tend to run on overdrive? Take time to remind yourself of the following truths:
- When all seems lost God is still God.
- There will never be a time when God does not keep his promises.
- God can not lie, though circumstances seem to say otherwise.
- Do not give in to doubt and despair.
- God is faithful.
- God can be trusted.
- Though the promise is unseen, the reality is that it is as good as done.
- When the storms around you seem to take you under keep your focus on a Sovereign God and hold your soul to that position.
Hold on to Hope
Richard Fuller, a 19th century minister, told of an old seaman who said,
“In fierce storms, we must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there.” Said Fuller, “This Christian, is what you must do…You must put your soul in one position and keep it there. You must stay upon the Lord; and come what may–winds, waves, cross seas, thunder, lightning, frowning rocks, roaring breakers–no matter what, you must hold fast your confidence in God’s faithfulness.”
Richard Fuller
Position your soul and hold fast to the faithfulness of God. Through the dark night of the soul hold on to hope and keep your eyes fastened on the promised reality. Cling to the assurance that our steadfast God always keeps his promises.
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