Most novel heroes are dashing young men with rippling muscles and charming wit. Ummm, not so with the hero of my March 2014 release, In the Shadow of Jezebel.
If we compared this guy to comic-strip heroes, he’s neither Clark Kent nor Bruce Wayne. He’s not mild-mannered, wealthy, or particularly good looking. In fact, he’s a bit crotchety and years past his prime.
Fantastic, right? Can’t wait to read it?
There’s more…
His name is Jehoiada. (Try saying that 10 times fast.)
He’s ninety years old. And he’s sorta grouchy.
He’s weary of serving the Lord with little in return, and he’s sick of sinful people getting blessed.
Sounds especially uplifting, don’t you think?
How Jehoiada Relates…
For a character to leap off the page—and into your heart—you must relate to him or her. Something about the character must feel familiar in your own life. I believe Jehoiada relates to the cynic in us all, those who long for the good ol’ days and can become hopeless if we focus too far into the future.
Jehoiada would have served as priest during the height of faithful King Jehoshaphat’s reign in Judah:
“Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, ‘A vast army is coming against you from Edom…Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord…Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard and said: ‘O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.’” 2 Chronicles 20:2-6
King Jehoshaphat championed worship in Yahweh’s Temple during his reign—so much so that they built a new surrounding courtyard to accommodate the vast number of worshipers! Imagine those days as a priest—then imagine the heartache of declining worship and the physical decline of the Temple grounds, while Jehoshaphat’s son and his wife led Judah to worship Baal:
“[Jehoram] walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 21:6
Why Is Jehoiada God’s Hero?
It’s tough to see God mocked, evil men prosper, and good men persecuted. Aren’t we supposed to fight for our beliefs, stand firm on godly principles?
Absolutely.
But Jehoiada’s journey taught me God’s pleasure with a patient, persevering servant. Anyone can strike out in anger, expending valuable energy at a target too large or too vague to defeat. But meekness is CONTROLLED POWER. Meekness waits, listens, and lets Yahweh set the target. When Yahweh leads the fight, the war is won before the battle begins.
Only a man of Jehoiada’s years could pierce the Shadow of Jezebel with a well-aimed beam of Yahweh’s Light. Only pure wisdom can balance the harshness of truth with the assurance of hope. And that kind of wisdom comes from God’s kind of hero.
Tweet-A-Licious!
- Meekness is CONTROLLED POWER. Meekness waits, listens, and lets Yahweh set the target.
- When Yahweh leads the fight, the war is won before the battle starts.
- Only pure wisdom can balance the harshness of truth with the assurance of hope.
Today’s Question:
- Is there a circumstance in your life that calls for meekness, God’s directed power? In what circumstance have you been batting air, expending empty energy without God’s directives?
Comments 13
So true, Mesu. And I can’t wait to see what you’ve done with — what’s his name again? I’m sure he’ll be a hero that we grow to love 🙂
Author
Hahaha! Yep, good ol’ whats-his-name is pretty awesome by the end! Blessings on you, friend! 😉
I can hardly wait to read more. I definitely need more meekness in my life.
Author
Amen, gal! Meekness is one of those things I used to cringe at. I thought it meant Christian weakness…but it’s a beautiful work of the Lord in us, not something we need to dread. Thanks for your encouragement! Blessings, dear one! 😉
Oh sweet sister. Such wisdom you share! Pure wisdom balancing truth and hope…
My husband and I find ourselves at a difficult point in our ministry presently and I have allowed bitterness grab a hold of my heart…thanks for the reminder that Yahweh is leading this fight!!!
Author
Blessings on you, Jennifer, as you balance the harsh truths of ministry with the assured hope we hold to so tightly. I pray for divine wisdom in your circumstances, dear one!
Batting at air??? Hmmmm? I resonate with that lately—-I needed your blog comments on your book today—can’t wait to read it,
Author
Batting at air is exhausting, isn’t it? Continuing to pray the Lord’s presence and peace in your heart and life, precious friend. Love you dearly! 😉
You got me hooked! I felt immediately that i could relate to this guy!:) Sometimes i wonder why i struggle so much financially and wonder what my future holds for me. Then it bothers me that my family members who aren’t serving the Lord can have such good lives. This was a good reminder that God is in control and i would rather be with Him than a comfortable life without Him.
Author
Oh man–you aren’t alone, Audrey! Haven’t we all at some point asked God why me? Or why NOT me? OR, the age-old question, “When God?” Whys, whens, and hows have kept me exhausted at various times in my life as well. More of that “batting at air” I suppose. So glad Jehoiada resonated with you. I pray the book ministers at a deep level! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your heart, dear one! 😉
Asking all the questions like WHY, WHEN and WHERE GOD? And not hearing an answer…..when He steps back and gives the next step to us and we step out ‘on the water’… somehow we KNOW this God we are walking with hasn’t left He has just made Himself invisible for a time as we come to the place of peace and He joins our walk again. Then phrases like, ‘Jesus is faithful’ become so real no one will ever talk you out of that again. Our wonderful, personal God.
LOL, Mesu, thank goodness we have pronunciation websites on the internet:) Anxiously awaiting the new book! Bless you:)
Author
Hahaha! I may have to start putting the pronunciation website links in my Author’s Note at the back of my books! There’s an idea! 😉