Hidden for a Purpose: The God Who Preserves Our Destiny
There are moments in Bible reading that stop you in your
tracks; those 'how have I never seen this before' moments. After years of
reading Scripture, a story suddenly shines with new light, and you wonder how
it ever hid in plain sight or not in any sermon you remember. That was my
experience recently.
I stumbled upon the story of Joash (also called
Jehoash), the young king of Judah who was hidden for six years to protect him
from his murderous grandmother, Queen Athaliah. Until that moment, I
thought Jezebel stood alone as the Bible’s infamous evil queen. I wasn’t
shocked, though, when I found out Jezebel was Athaliah’s mother. The apple doesn’t
fall from the tree, they say!
To get a better understanding of my fascination with this story, let’s take a brief look at Jehoram, Athaliah, and the evil that preceded
Joash’s hidden season story. It helps to briefly look at the spiritual climate that preceded him. His father, grandfather, and grandmother created a legacy
of rebellion that set the stage for the crisis in Judah.
Jehoram was a king who walked in darkness
Jehoram, Joash’s grandfather, began his reign with violence.
He killed all his brothers and every potential rival to secure the throne (2
Chronicles 21:4). Scripture says he “walked in the ways of the kings of
Israel” and followed the idolatrous practices of the house of Ahab because
he had married Ahab’s daughter, Athaliah (2 Kings 8:18). His leadership led
Judah into a deep spiritual decline, provoking God’s judgment. (2 Kings
8:16–18; 2 Chronicles 21:4–6)
Athaliah was a queen who deepened the darkness
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As the true child of her parents, Athaliah, daughter of Ahab
and Jezebel, brought the same destructive influence into Judah. She encouraged
idolatry and used her position to steer the nation away from God. Her heart was
hardened, and her actions were ruthless. (2 Kings 11:1; 2 Chronicles 22:2–4)
Ahaziah acted under his mother’s evil influence
Ahaziah, Jehoram’s son and Athaliah’s son, followed in the
same footsteps. Scripture says: “His mother encouraged him to act
wickedly.” – 2 Chronicles 22:3
Under her influence, Ahaziah aligned himself with the wicked
kings of Israel, just as his father, Jehoram, had. This alliance ultimately led to
his death by the hands of Jehu (2 Chronicles 22:7–9).
This then set the stage for Athaliah’s final act of evil.
Actions that were not just political; they were spiritual warfare against
God’s covenant promise to David.
The Hidden King and the Prophet Who Protected Him
When Athaliah saw that her son, King Ahaziah, had died, she
seized the throne by force. In a shocking act of cruelty, she killed all the
royal heirs and anyone who could challenge her rule (2 Kings 11:1). But God, being God, had already woven a thread of preservation into the story.
Ahaziah’s sister, Jehosheba, rescued the infant Joash
and hid him in the temple with his nurse. There, under the watchful care of Jehoiada
the priest, the child king lived in secrecy for six years while Athaliah
reigned in terror (2 Kings 11:2–3).
Six years of silence. Six years of obscurity. Six years of
divine protection.
At the appointed time, Jehoiada brought Joash out of hiding,
crowned him publicly, and restored the house of David just as God had promised
(2 Samuel 7:12–16).
When I read this, I was intrigued. I shared it with my
children immediately because whenever I discover these interesting stories in Scripture,
they are always the first to hear them.
When God Hides You, It’s Never Without Purpose
Joash’s story stirred something deep in me. It reminded me
that God always has a plan within a plan. For example, He sometimes hides us, not
to diminish us, but to preserve us, to prepare
us and position us for the fullness of His plan.
Just as Joash was hidden in the temple, we, too, have our
seasons when we are hidden in Christ.
“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in
God.” – Colossians 3:3
These are seasons when God shields us from what we cannot
yet see, understand, or withstand. Seasons where He keeps us tucked away from
danger, distraction, or premature exposure. Seasons where He works in the quiet
places of our hearts so that our emergence will be unmistakably His doing.
How Do You Know When God Is Hiding You?
You may wonder, “How do I know when God is hiding me?”
Often, this is revealed in the season we find ourselves in. Sometimes it may look
like a job opportunity that just won’t open no matter how qualified you are. It
could be a relocation plan that keeps stalling, even though everything seemed
aligned. Reconciliation with a loved one that seems not to be going as you
want? What feels like delay is often God’s gentle whisper: “Wait. I am
putting things in place for you.”
Scripture reminds us that God orders our steps (Psalm 37:23)
and that His timing is perfect, even when it stretches our patience. A hidden
season is not a denied season. It is a protected one.
Perhaps you’re carrying the weight of a long‑awaited promise
like the desire for a child, a breakthrough, or a long‑prayed‑for testimony.
Remember this: “He who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23
God never forgets what He has spoken over your life. Trust
that when your testimony emerges, it will be unmistakable. All eyes will see.
All ears will hear. And God alone will get the glory.
A life in Christ is, in itself, a life hidden, hidden from
sin, shame, and every force that seeks to derail God’s purpose for us
(Colossians 3:3). Just as Joash was kept out of sight until the appointed time,
God knows how to bring you out of obscurity, out of reproach, and into the
fullness of His promise. And when He does, it will be like the day Jehoiada
brought Joash out of hiding.
Emerging Into the Life God Planned
When Joash finally emerged from hiding, it was dramatic,
public, and powerful. Trumpets sounded. The people rejoiced. It was loud,
undeniable, and filled with joy. Just as when God will put a new song in your
mouth, a song of praise that testifies of His faithfulness (Psalm 40:3).
The covenant with David was restored. Darkness was
overthrown (2 Kings 11:12–20).
In the same way, when we step into the life God has prepared
for us, we finally recognise Christ for who He truly is, and something shifts. We
break free from the grip of sin and shame. We rise into the glorious future God
has been shaping all along.
“The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”– Proverbs 4:18
There is no greater joy than awakening to the truth of who
Jesus is and who we are in Him. Our emergence is not random. It is redemption
in motion.
A Final Thought
For me, Joash’s story is a reminder that God is ever present.
Even in the shadows, He is working. Even in silence, He is speaking. If you
find yourself in a hidden season, know that God hides what He values. And when
the time is right, He brings His children into the light–stronger, wiser, and
ready for the life He always intended.
Love always
Ige