Fulfilling God’s Purpose
There is a story involving Yogi Berra, the well-known catcher for the New York Yankees, and Hank Aaron, who at that time was the chief power hitter for the Milwaukee Braves. The teams were playng in the World Series, and as usual Yogi was keeping up his ceaseless chatter, intended to pep up his teammates on the one hand, and distract the Milwaukee batters on the other. As Aaron came to the plate, Yogi tried to distract him by saying, "Henry, you're holding the bat wrong. You're supposed to hold it so you can read the trademark." Aaron didn't say anything, but when the next pitch came he hit it into the left-field bleachers. After rounding the bases and tagging up at home plate, Aaron looked at Yogi Berra and said, "I didn't come up here to read." [1]
Hank Aaron knew his purpose well – hitting a record breaking 755 career home runs.
What about you – are you fulfilling God’s purpose for you? Maybe you are not aware of God’s purpose for you:
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28-29, NIV)
Your purpose is to enter into a life-changing relationship of love with the LORD Jesus Christ and become like Him in the process. You will not become a “god” but become like Jesus in character and in His work. As His disciples, we continue the kingdom work He started.
In our Scripture passage today, we will look at four people with four God-given purposes. The events that shaped their lives brought to fulfillment of their God-given purpose and some moved further away. Let us examine what happened and learn the principles that will help us fulfill our God-given purpose.
Scripture: 2 Kings 11-12
Main Point:
God wants to mold your faith and character to become like Jesus so that He can use you as an instrument of righteousness in His kingdom.
Outline:
1. Challenging God’s purpose is futile at best.
2. Your purpose may seem insignificant, but God...
3. Your purpose may seem too big, but God...
4. Make sure you follow godly examples to fulfill your God-given purpose.
1. Challenging God’s purpose is futile at best.
1 When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family. 2 But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah; so he was not killed. 3 He remained hidden with his nurse at the temple of the LORD for six years while Athaliah ruled the land. (2 Kings 11:1-3, NIV)
Athaliah: mother of the King of Judah, Ahaziah. Athaliah was the
daughter of
Ahab.
Her purpose: guide her son in a righteous reign over Judah, and maybe to spoil her grandchildren ;-) Well, actually, to pass on God’s truth to her grandchildren.
How did she line up with God’s purposes?
- Opposite direction
After Jehu executed God’s judgment on the family of Ahab, including her son, Athaliah wanted the throne for herself. The Bible makes it clear there is supposed to be a descendent of David on Jerusalem’s throne (2 Samuel 7:11-16). But Athaliah went about murdering her own family by Jehoram (possibly she wanted revenge on David’s family for what happened to her father’s family).
Of the bloodshed of the royal family, Matthew Henry wrote: “Happy the men of inferior birth, who live below envy and emulation” (emulation means the desire to imitate and surpass another).
Athaliah ruled 6 years this way – a genuine product of wicked parents, Ahab and Jezebel. In her case, the saying held true: “The apple does not fall far from the tree.”
When Joash was made king, Athaliah was ordered to be killed but “She must not be put to death in the temple of the LORD” (2 Kings 11:15, NIV).
1 The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem: 2 "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." (Ecclesiastes 1:1-2, NIV)
This is the conclusion of a life spent chasing after everything but God. Without God at the center of who you are and what you do, everything is meaningless and futile.
2. Your purpose may seem insignificant, but God...
1 When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family. 2 But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah; so he was not killed. 3 He remained hidden with his nurse at the temple of the LORD for six years while Athaliah ruled the land. (2 Kings 11:1-3, NIV)
Jehosheba: daughter of King Jehoram (probably not by Athaliah as it is
presented here but by another wife of Ahaziah). She was a
courageous woman.
Under threat of murder by illegal Queen Athaliah, Jehosheba took the infant Joash, one of the princes, out of the palace and hid him in the Temple of the LORD. This is perhaps what the Psalmist was speaking of in Psalm 27:
5 For in the day of trouble he will
keep me safe
in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a
rock.
(Psalm 27:5, NIV)
We find in 2 Chronicles 22:11 that Jehosheba was also the wife of Priest Jehoiada (who may have been High Priest that year). Her single act preserved the line of David for Jerusalem’s throne.
What happened to Jehosheba after this? There is no word of her after this event in Scripture. It is likely she was killed by Athaliah.
Her purpose was a very small role in a very big plan: the line of David led straight to Messiah (Christ). We find this in Luke 3:23-38 and Matthew 1:1-17.
Is your purpose in life too small to you? As a child of God in Christ you have eternal significance in all that you do. There are no small roles when you serve a big God! God definitely has plans for each one of you:
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)
17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. (2 Corinthians 5:17-20, NIV)
Your purpose may even seem insignificant, but God… He can and will use His purpose for you to bring about eternal change for the good of His kingdom.
3. Your purpose may seem too big, but God...
4 In the seventh year Jehoiada sent for the commanders of units of a hundred, the Carites and the guards and had them brought to him at the temple of the LORD . He made a covenant with them and put them under oath at the temple of the LORD . Then he showed them the king's son. 5 He commanded them, saying, "This is what you are to do: You who are in the three companies that are going on duty on the Sabbath-a third of you guarding the royal palace, 6 a third at the Sur Gate, and a third at the gate behind the guard, who take turns guarding the temple- 7 and you who are in the other two companies that normally go off Sabbath duty are all to guard the temple for the king. 8 Station yourselves around the king, each man with his weapon in his hand. Anyone who approaches your ranks must be put to death. Stay close to the king wherever he goes." … 12 Jehoiada brought out the king's son and put the crown on him; he presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him, and the people clapped their hands and shouted, "Long live the king!" … (2 Kings 11:4-8,12, NIV)
Jehoiada: a priest serving in the Temple of the LORD.
Under the Law given to Israel, the person who actively rebels against the word of the LORD from the priest or the judge over Israel must be put to death. This includes event he king for the Bible says:
The man who shows contempt for the judge or for the priest who stands ministering there to the LORD your God must be put to death. You must purge the evil from Israel. (Deuteronomy 17:12, NIV)
Jehoiada had the daunting task of deposing Queen Athaliah from her unrightful throne. There was great danger, intrigue, secret plans, requires massive resources, much coordination between many people. Sounds like a building program does it not?
Why did Jehoiada take on this task? After all, it was so big and so dangerous. In 2 Chronicles, we find some insight into what led Jehoiada in this direction:
In the seventh year Jehoiada showed his strength. He made a covenant with the commanders of units of a hundred: Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zicri. (2 Chronicles 23:1, NIV).
He “showed his strength” (v1). In the KJV, the Bible says, “Jehoiada strengthened himself” (v1). How did he do this? How did he find the strength or the courage to act? How do you gather courage to do something difficult or dangerous?
The key is to determine what is really important to God and then act on faith not fear. Courage is not the absence of feelings of fear but the will to choose to act by faith. Even Patton, the famous WWII general, said in his autobiography that his palms grew sweaty every time he entered a battle. But enter the battle he did.
What was really important to God? Jehoiada announced to the soldiers and Levites he had called from throughout the land, “Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the LORD has said of the sons of David” (2 Chronicles 23:1, NIV). God’s will is for the descedents of David to occupy Jerusalem’s throne. Jehoiada realized someone had to do something – and that someone was him.
15 Jehoiada the priest ordered the
commanders of
units of a hundred, who were in charge of the troops: "Bring her out
between the ranks
and put to the sword anyone who follows her." For the priest had said,
"She must not be put to death in the temple of the LORD ." 16
So they seized her as she reached the place where the horses enter the
palace
grounds, and there she was put to death. 17 Jehoiada then
made a
covenant between the LORD and the king and people that they would be
the LORD's
people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people. 18
All the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down.
They
smashed the altars and idols to pieces and killed Mattan the priest of
Baal in
front of the altars.
Then Jehoiada the priest posted guards at the temple of the LORD . 19
He took with him the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, the guards
and all
the people of the land, and together they brought the king down from
the temple
of the LORD and went into the palace, entering by way of the gate of
the
guards. The king then took his place on the royal throne, 20
and all
the people of the land rejoiced. And the city was quiet, because
Athaliah had
been slain with the sword at the palace. (2 Kings 11:15-20, NIV)
Jehoiada brought Joash out of the Temple hiding place and into the light.
- He crowned him King of Judah. Placing a small medallion into his turban, the young boy was pronounced king at the age of seven.
- Athaliah was put to death for her crimes of murder. The people of the land rejoiced after 6 years of serving a wicked Queen.
- Jehoiada renewed the covenant between the LORD, the king, and the people “that they should be the LORD's people” (2 Chronicles 23:16, NIV). The people of the land responded to their renewed covenant with God by destroying Baal’s temple and priest.
Jehoiada continued to fulfill his God-given purpose by instructing young Joash in the ways of the LORD. He had a strong influence on the King and the whole nation was blessed because of it.
Is God’s purpose for you too big? Just remember, it is never too big for God!
4. Make sure you follow godly examples to fulfill your God-given purpose.
1 In the seventh year of Jehu, Joash became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother's name was Zibiah; she was from Beersheba. 2 Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him. 3 The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. (2 Kings 12:1-3, NIV)
Joash: King of Judah at the age of seven. His God-given purpose was to stand against idolatry and lead the nation of Israel in righteousness. The king in Israel was the spiritual leader of the nation.
Yet after all the trouble to spare his life and make him king, the covenant with God, and the training by Jehoiada, Joash revealed a very weak faith.
He had a good start. There was revival after his coronation as king. Joash led the people to rebuild the aging temple (2 Kings 12:4-5).
But Joash abandoned his God-given purpose.
- After Jehoiada died, Joash listened to the word of political leaders instead of the word of God (2 Chronicles 24:17-18).
- He did not destroy the high places (pagan shrines) even though he easily had the power to do so (2 Kings 12:3).
- He handed over the gold and sacred objects from
the Temple to an enemy king, even sacred objects he himself had
dedicated to God (2 Kings 12:18).
God sent prophets to turn him and the nation around – but they would not listen. The prosperity of the nation of Israel depended on her righteousness. As the people of God were worshiping the LORD and obeying His commands, Israel was blessed. As the people of God acted like people of the world, Israel was oppressed.
This was part of God’s plan to raise up a holy people to declare His truth to the world. God insists that His people who proclaim His holy name lead holy lives themselves. This is what God expects of His church as well: “14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:14-16, NIV).
Here is the direction Israel went after the death of Jehoiada the priest who had been instructing Joash in the ways of the LORD:
18 They abandoned the temple of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God's anger came upon Judah and Jerusalem. 19 Although the LORD sent prophets to the people to bring them back to him, and though they testified against them, they would not listen. (2 Chronicles 24:18-19, NIV)
It was not a situation of where God was silent. It was not a situation where they could not hear. They simply would not listen to God’s prophets. Israel was sinning and loving it. Finally, God sent the prophet Zechariah, son of Jehoiada the priest.
20 Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, "This is what God says: 'Why do you disobey the LORD's commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has forsaken you.'" 21 But they plotted against him, and by order of the king they stoned him to death in the courtyard of the LORD's temple. 22 King Joash did not remember the kindness Zechariah's father Jehoiada had shown him but killed his son, who said as he lay dying, "May the LORD see this and call you to account" (2 Chronicles 24:20-21, NIV).
It was Joash himself who ordered Zechariah to be murdered. He was even murdered right there in the courtyard of the LORD’s Temple. Jehoiada the priest would not allow the evil Queen Athaliah to be killed in the Temple area but taken outside. But Joash did not care about the irony of murdering the righteous prophet, Zechariah, in the Temple of the LORD. He repaid Jehoiada’s love and loyalty with treachery.
Joash should have followed the godly example of Jehoiada to fulfill his God-given purpose. Instead he listened to what was popular or politically expedient and, as a result, abandoned God and brought the curse of God on Israel. Ultimately, Joash was assassinated by his own men (2 Kings 12:20-21).
Are you fulfilling your God-given purpose? It would be wise to find some godly individuals with a similar purpose to watch and imitate. A mentoring relationship with such individuals would be even better to make sure you do not fall short of all that God has planned for your life. Following godly examples will help keep you on-mission for God.
Conclusion:
It is a crucial choice to make: fulfill your God-given purpose or spend your life chasing vain pursuits. One brings satisfaction and blessing. The other brings confusion, frustration and unhappiness. Which will you choose?
You will never find true satisfaction until you are truly fulfilling your God-given purpose.
© Copyright 2004, Randy Lariscy.