He was hiding with them in God’s temple for six years while Athaliah reigned over the land. – 2 Chronicles 22.12, CSB
Athaliah was the daughter of King Ahab. “There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the LORD like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited” (1 Kings 21.25, CSB). Athaliah married Jehoram, the king of Judah, and played a role in his rebellion against God, which led to Judah’s rebellion. “[Jehoram] walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for Ahab’s daughter was his wife” (2 Chronicles 21.6, CSB). Jehoram did what was evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Chronicles 21.6), even killing all of his brothers to strengthen his position as king over Judah. And because of Jehoram’s rebellion and the evil that he did, God punished him (2 Chronicles 21.12-19). And when he died, he died “to no one’s regret” (2 Chronicles 21.20, CSB).
Ahaziah, the youngest son of Jehoram and Athaliah, became king and did evil in the sight of the Lord, as he took the evil advice given to him by his mother and his parents’ counselors (2 Chronicles 22.3-4). After Ahaziah was killed (2 Chronicles 22.7-9), Athaliah became queen. And what was one of the first things that she did so that she could be the lone ruler of Judah as the queen? “She proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs of the house of Judah” (2 Chronicles 22.10, CSB). This means she “put to the sword many of her own flesh and blood since she was the queen mother.”* But there was one of Athaliah’s grandsons who escaped her wretched and murderous plan to take the throne. Joash, the son of Ahaziah, was rescued by his aunt Jehoshabeth. She hid Joash for six years from his grandmother, who wanted him murdered. But where did she hide him? In God’s temple. God’s temple was the one place that Athaliah would not go. Athaliah worshiped Baal, just like her parents (2 Chronicles 24.27). So Jehoshabeth took Joash to God’s temple, the representation of God’s presence, to protect him.
Would you read the following verses slowly to remind you of the refuge of God’s available presence?
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. – Psalm 23.4, CSB
fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41.10, CSB
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31.6, CSB
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. – Psalm 46.1, CSB
You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. – Psalm 139.5, CSB
I cannot say that God’s protection means we will never experience heartache or pain. We will. Pain and suffering are part of our human experience. Yet, God allows and redeems our pain and suffering for his ultimate good for us (Romans 5.3-5; James 1.2-4; 2 Corinthians 12.7-10; Hebrews 12.11). So, while I can’t promise that God’s protection means that we will never experience pain and suffering, I can say that God is our refuge and strength in times of trouble. I can say that God is present with us in our trials and pain (Isaiah 43.1-3). I can say that God is always with us (Joshua 1.9; Matthew 28.20). And I can say that he will guide us with his counsel and afterward will receive us to glory (Psalm 73.24).
And I believe with all of my heart that as we stand before Jesus one day, the woes of this world will fade away because of his majesty and glory. Then, we will notice his scars. And they will be a proclamation of the redemptive protection of our God who took our cross, endured the wrath of the Father because of our sins that were laid upon him, and resurrected from the dead so that we might be with him.
So when you don’t see God’s protection, “go into his presence.” Be reminded of his protection over you that was put in motion before the foundations of the world were set (Ephesians 1.4). Be reminded of his grace and mercy. And ask God to show you throughout your day of all the myriads of ways he protects. And when he reveals to you, stand amazed anew at his protection over you.
* Merrill, Eugene H. “2 Chronicles.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1, Victor Books, 1985, p. 636.
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Brian J Holland 
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