2 Chronicles 23:14-15(KJV)
Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth of the ranges: and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Slay her not in the house of the LORD. So they laid hands on her; and when she was come to the entering of the horse gate by the king’s house, they slew her there.
Throughout the Scriptures, we understand that the triumph of the wicked is short with a sad ending. Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, was married to Jehoram(king of Judah). When Jehu slew Ahaziah, Athaliah, in her lust for power, she took over the kingship. For fear of any possible rivalry, she killed all the king’s sons and grandsons—thus eliminating the entire royal family so she could take the throne. Unknown to Athaliah, one-year-old Joash escaped her sword. Jehosheba, the baby’s aunt and the wife of the high priest Jehoiada took the infant Joash and hid him and his nurse for six years while Queen Athaliah reigned over the land. The actions of Athaliah aimed to end the reign of the house of David, thereby hindering the fulfillment of God’s covenant with David. Little did she know that none could fight against God’s plan! Thinking that her kingdom was established, the high priest Jehoiada set guards around the temple and publicly crowned the young Joash as the rightful king. The people clapped their hands and shouted, “Long live the king. When Athaliah realized what was happening, she ran out of the palace shouting, Treason! Treason! Jehoiada commanded the troops to capture Athaliah and execute her, and so they killed the queen after six years of the reign of terror and tyranny. The death of Athaliah marked the beginning of Joash’s reign.
Consistently, people arrogantly misbehave when they have positions of power, wealth, and authority. They act greedily, trample on the rights of the underprivileged, and oppress the poor with impunity. Job 20:4-5 says, “Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth, That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?” Those who use violence and fraud to deprive others of their rightful position will receive their just reward because God hates injustice and wickedness. The sad truth is that many never seem to learn from history or even the daily happenings in society. They recklessly embark on the same wicked acts that God admonishes us against, only to find themselves assailed by horror and trouble. Ecclesiastes 3:17 says, “I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.”
Beloved, encourage yourself with the revelation that no matter what the condition of your life is, there is an end to wickedness. There is an end to every affliction, pain, manipulation from hell, and every activity of evil. There is an end to poverty, sickness, or any difficulty you are experiencing. There is no endless temptation or test of life that lasts forever, and let no devil and his agents deceive you that what you are going through will never end. No matter how dark a night may appear, the day must break. I don’t know the equation the devil has confronted your life with, I don’t know the mystery around your life, but I know that it will end in Jesus’ Name. Good will ultimately overcome evil. Keep on the path of righteousness with the Lord. It may seem wickedness will triumph up to the eleventh hour but don’t be fooled. In that final hour, God will act on your behalf. It will not be too long; you will see the defeat and downfall of the wicked and oppressor. God is a God of justice; He will right all wrongs shortly. Wickedness and greed are not worth your time, so shun every form of evil. You can attain wealth and power through genuine hard work and a righteous living without resorting to wickedness. Today, see the wickedness of the wicked expire in your life in Jesus’ Name. Ask the Lord to search your heart to see any evil. If there is, pray that He takes it away. Study the Word daily, not to enter into any wickedness.
O Lord, help me eschew every form of greed, evil, and wickedness in Jesus’ Name.