Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 22:8-12.
“It came about when Jehu was executing judgment on the house of Ahab, he found the princes of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah’s brothers ministering to Ahaziah, and slew them. He also sought Ahaziah, and they caught him while he was hiding in Samaria; they brought him to Jehu, put him to death and buried him. For they said, “He is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart.” So there was no one of the house of Ahaziah to retain the power of the kingdom.
Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she rose and destroyed all the royal offspring of the house of Judah. But Jehoshabeath the king’s daughter took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king’s sons who were being put to death, and placed him and his nurse in the bedroom. 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 would not put him to death. He was hidden with them in the house of God six years while Athaliah reigned over the land.” 2 Chronicles 22:8-12.
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“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!” Psalm 91:1-2.
Nothing was directly said in today’s Scripture that the LORD used Jehoshabeath’s action of hiding Joash to save Joash. But, the LORD’S sovereignty rules over all, we can presume that the LORD did so consistent with His intention that we remember from the following Scripture.
“Yet the LORD was not willing to destroy the house of David because of the covenant which He had made with David, and since He had promised to give a lamp to him and his sons forever.” 2 Chronicles 21:7.
In any event, today’s Scripture does lead us to meditate on some verses of the precious “Preservation of the Saints”. The key verse which is the title of today’s devotion, Psalm 32:7, is in Psalm chapter 32, one of my favorite chapters as I believe it was also one of the favorite chapters of my mother, now deceased who is now, so to speak, hidden in heaven, Yvonne Pousma Hornbeck.
“For the LORD loves justice
And does not forsake His godly ones;
They are preserved forever,
But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.” Psalm 37:28.
“You, O LORD, will keep them;
You will preserve him from this generation forever.” Psalm 12:7.
“You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me;
Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.” Psalm 40:11.
“The mind of man plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9.
“You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble;
You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.” Psalm 32:7.
“Hate evil, you who love the LORD,
Who preserves the souls of His godly ones;
He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 97:10.
“23 O love the LORD, all you His godly ones!
The LORD preserves the faithful
And fully recompenses the proud doer.
24 Be strong and let your heart take courage,
All you who hope in the LORD.” Psalm 31:23-24.