September 2, 2022
But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king’s sons who were being murdered . . . 2 Kings 11:2a
Bible prophecy represents the church as a woman. Here we see Jehosheba proactively rescuing little Joash. She stole him away from among the king’s sons who were being murdered. Are not all people God’s children? Our enemy the devil is out to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). He is the original murderer. He starts off with deception so convincing that people are tricked into giving him their hearts, unwittingly entering his maze of deceptive traps.
We, like Jehosheba, are to “steal” them back! The earthly ministry of Jesus consisted of loving care for the physical and spiritual needs of hurting people. He deliberately and systematically reclaimed stolen “territory” of hearts and minds, all rightfully His. There is a proactive role given to the church to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, declaring the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). Sadly, the enemy has wrought such chaos and confusion among the professed people of God within the church, that unless we deliberately unite in the truth—the whole truth—without any mixture of error, preaching and teaching put forth is rendered powerless to change lives. Satan doesn’t mind if messages in the name of Jesus go out to the world, as long as they are mixed with error. In fact, he is the power behind this phenomenon. It’s his most effective way to ensure that people are being murdered.
Jesus prayed for unity among His followers. His prayer, quoted in John 17, is known as the high priestly prayer. This divine intercession makes it clear that unity is essential if the church is to provide for God’s lost children a glimpse of the awesome humility and glory that draws people to Him.
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one.” John 17:20-22