The Pressure to Preserve 

Based on 2 Kings 11-13

It takes a lot to preserve & protect something you love & cherish, especially if it's something others may be after. There's a lot of pressure which comes with that preservation. But if we do our best to stick with God, stand up for what's right & preserve our relationship with Him, we will prevail at all costs!

"And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal. But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain." 2 Kings 11:1‭-‬2.

Jehosheba hid Joash from being killed, and she did so for six years! Joash was part of that seed royal, and under some dangerous pressure, she did what she could to protect him. Imagine if she did not have the courage, or just let her guard down in that moment...history would have drastically changed! Joash was ment to be king because he would do what was right in the sight of The Lord, and Jehosheba bravely stuck with the plan! How desperate are we to hold our families together in troubling times? Under immense pressure, we can still preserve even remnants or fragments of broken families because of a love for them, a love for what's right, and especially a love for God and His perfect will!

"And the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the Lord , and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the Lord , and shewed them the king's son." 2 Kings 11:4.

After Jehosheba, another protector was Jehoiada the priest. Since the king was too young to rule yet, Jehoiada made sure he was thoroughly protected:

"And a third part shall be at the gate of Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down. And two parts of all you that go forth on the sabbath, even they shall keep the watch of the house of the Lord about the king. And ye shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand: and he that cometh within the ranges, let him be slain: and be ye with the king as he goeth out and as he cometh in."
2 Kings 11:6‭-‬8.

He was sure to cover all the bases! Not long afterward, Joash was made king & Athaliah was killed for her wickedness. The pressure to preserve really paid off!

Joash grew to do many mighty things for God, including repairing the house of The Lord:

"And they gave the money, being told, into the hands of them that did the work, that had the oversight of the house of the Lord : and they laid it out to the carpenters and builders, that wrought upon the house of the Lord , And to masons, and hewers of stone, and to buy timber and hewed stone to repair the breaches of the house of the Lord , and for all that was laid out for the house to repair it."
2 Kings 12:11‭-‬12.

There were many other great acts and amazing things done, and the important thing to remember is even under pressure, we must preserve our relationship with God and keep connections strong with our loved ones so they can see the hope in God as well!