Corona Devo 862

Do you have an Aunt Jehosheba in your family line?

Maybe not by that name...but do we have someone who stood up for us when we couldn't do it for ourselves?  Are we aware of an advocate that was our voice before we had one?  Someone who stood in the gap for us when we needed it?  

A coach, a parent, or non-parent?  A teacher, preacher, neighbor or even stranger that protected us out of sheer benevolence, and by the grace of God?  

A better question (and challenge) is "Who can we be an "Aunt Jehosheba" to today?  If the Lord provides the opportunity for us to stand up for someone...take it.  It might change the course of their lives, and ours.

~~~

So, who is Aunt Jehosheba, you ask?  

The story goes back a long time, to the days of the Bible and the days of a bunch of kings who rose and fell over Israel (found in the Bible books of I and II Kings).  

When one king "fell" (Ahaziah), his mom (Athaliah) began to destroy the rest of the royal family (2 Kings 11:1).  

May the Lord protect us from that kind of "crazy" in our family tree.  And if it does surface, may we have (or be!) an Aunt Jehosheba:

But Ahaziah’s (the slain king) sister Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, took Ahaziah’s infant son, Joash, and stole him away from among the rest of the king’s children, who were about to be killed. She put Joash and his nurse in a bedroom, and they hid him from Athaliah, so the child was not murdered. (3) Joash remained hidden in the Temple of the Lord for six years while Athaliah ruled over the land.  ~2 Kings 11:2-3

Lord, whatever we face today, large or small, may we strive to uphold Your foundation of Truth and morality.  Do not let us bend our honesty, truth, or words.  When we encounter darkness, may we shine Your light.  If we see injustice, unfairness, or blatant evil, may we stand for You and for others that may not be able to stand for themselves.  Amen.

Jehosheba stepped in for the infant Joash.  Jehosheba stepped out for good.  Jehosheba risked it all to do what was right.  

Do we have a Jehosheba to thank today?  What has someone in our family or in the family of God done for us?  Risked for us?  Sacrificed for us and our well-being?  

And where are we today because of it?  

Joash spent his first seven years in hiding and being raised by Jehoiada the priest, and then, because his Aunt Jehosheba had stepped out for him, he had an opportunity to step up for God.  And he took it.

Then Jehoiada brought out Joash, the king’s son, placed the crown on his head, and presented him with a copy of God’s laws. They anointed him and proclaimed him king, and everyone clapped their hands and shouted, “Long live the king!”...

(17) Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and the people that they would be the Lord’s people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people. (18) And all the people of the land went over to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They demolished the altars and smashed the idols to pieces...(20) So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was peaceful because Athaliah had been killed at the king’s palace.

(21) Joash was seven years old when he became king.  ~2 Kings 11:12, 17-18, 20-21

12:1 - Joash began to rule over Judah in the seventh year of King Jehu’s reign in Israel. He reigned in Jerusalem forty years... (2) All his life Joash did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight because Jehoiada the priest instructed him. ~2 Kings 12:1-2

Joash could have had a different story.  He could have had no story.  

But because of his Aunt Jehosheba, he had a chance.  He was born...and able to live.  But more than that...he was raised by Godly people and he not only lived, but Joash thrived.  And his life brought truth and freedom-in-Christ to others.  (All his life Joash did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight... ~2 Kings 12:2).

Can we think of anyone around us that needs us to be their Aunt Jehosheba today?  

Any infants without a voice that need an advocate's voice in order not-to-be-killed?

Anyone lacking the age, maturity, strength, health, or faith...that we can stand-in-the-gap for?  That we can stand-in or stand-up for?  

Can we be an Aunt Jehosheba today?  In the name of God...to honor God...In the pursuit of God's good plan for every person...step in and step up and make a difference today.  

If the Lord provides the opportunity for us to stand up for someone...take it.  It might change the course of their lives...and ours.

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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