Holy, humble and hidden...

 Ahaziah and Athaliah…. Jehoshaphat, Joash, Johaiada and Jehosheba…. Yes, when you read these sometimes unpronounceable names, you'll realise that, just before my departure for Africa, I was still reading some of the amazing adventures retold in the Bible book of 2nd Chronicles. In a dramatic plot, sounding like something from a movie, baby Joash is saved by his uncle and aunt from the murderous rampage of his grandmother, Athaliah, who wants to kill off all her grandchildren so that she herself can become queen.

And so, for six years, young Joash is hidden in the temple, being cared for by a nurse, protected by his relatives, and prepared for his future destiny as ruler of Judah. When I first read this story, more than 25 years ago now, I was struck by how wise that "hiding" strategy was for the future king. Nowadays, too, the enemy will often try to rob us of our destiny and kill off our vision while it is still young and vulnerable. We shouldn't be surprised if God's chosen strategy is to "hide" us for a time, while He is preparing us to accomplish the things He has for us in the future. As I heard a speaker say recently in LDC, when it comes to ministry, we shouldn't be trying to make a name for ourselves, but should be content to be holy, humble and hidden. Often God's times of preparation in our lives are precisely for that reason: to make us holy and keep us humble, so that we are more ready to fulfil the plans and dreams He has for us.