Even The Rocks Cry Out
God’s plans and purposes will always come to pass. His Word can never be broken and has power. We have a part to play as we follow Jesus and by faith invest what we have been given.
“Then the prophet poured the oil on Jehu’s head and declared, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anoint you king over the Lord’s people Israel. The whole house of Ahab will perish. As for Jezebel, dogs will devour her on the plot of ground at Jezreel, and no one will bury her.’…The driving is like that of Jehu son of Nimshi—he drives like a maniac…Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah rode out, each in his own chariot, to meet Jehu. They met him at the plot of ground that had belonged to Naboth…When Joram saw Jehu he asked, “Have you come in peace, Jehu?” “How can there be peace,” Jehu replied, “as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?” Then Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders…Now then, pick him up and throw him on that plot, in accordance with the word of the Lord.” Then Jehu went to Jezreel. When Jezebel heard about it, she put on eye makeup, arranged her hair and looked out of a window. “Throw her down!” Jehu said. So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered the wall and the horses as they trampled her underfoot. They went back and told Jehu, who said, “This is the word of the Lord that he spoke through his servant Elijah the Tishbite: On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs will devour Jezebel’s flesh.” 2 Kings 9:6-36
In this chapter, we see what happens to those who did evil in the eyes of the Lord, would not repent, and had a word of the Lord spoken against them. Make no mistake that God’s plan is to bring peace to people, but those who stand in the way will perish. Jehu spoke to the heart of the issue. He said there can be no peace among people if there is no peace with God and among people who do evil.
Rather than focusing on the death in this story, the more important message is to see God is greater than we realize. He knows what will happen before it does. He speaks and things come to pass. He is steadfast and unshakeable.
Why does this matter so much for us? It matters because we do not know what to trust. We live in a world that can feel very chaotic and like everything is changing. People are constantly causing conflict and fear only heightens the anxiety we can feel. God wants us to see beyond our circumstances and people causing conflict to see Christ reigns above it all.
We can trust Him. He is the fulfillment of God’s plan of redemption. We do not have to be afraid of the enemy, death, or the destruction all around us. We can stand firm and trust in the Lord.
How are you feeling? Have you been impacted by what you see in the world around you? Have you been hurt by the words of another? Are there any ways in which the uncertainty of waiting on God or the unknown of what is to come impacting your heart?
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One…they trusted and you delivered them. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads…My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him…The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise him…All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!” Psalms 22:1-31
This song of David should never be read without remembering that Jesus quoted this on the cross. Long before Jesus was led to Calvary, the Holy Spirit spoke these words through David. The Word said that the holy one would be mocked, pierced, and people would cast lots for His clothes, but death was not the end. All the Earth would bow down before him because through Him God’s plan was finished and His plans fulfilled.
What does this mean for you and for me? How does this change how we live? God’s Word said that he has done it. It is finished. Death is overcome. The enemy vanquished. The price of sin has been paid. The penalty for sin served. The anxiety of what is to come answered all as the word was fulfilled by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. The cross is the key to understanding this word and every word of God.
If it is done, then I am free to let love flow through me. I am no longer a slave to sin. He who had no sin became sin that I might become the righteousness of God. Everything changes when we learn to embrace the power of the cross. We are not bystanders but we become participants through whom God’s Word comes alive as the Holy Spirit works in and through us.
Where do you need to declare it is finished to a fear or failure in your life? Where do you need to experience healing through the hope found in Jesus?
“To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. The Lord works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster. The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided. In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” Proverbs 16:1-33
There could not be a more perfect proverb to connect the passages of today. We saw the consequences of evil and sin with what happened to Jezebel and Joram. Solomon said the Lord works everything out to its proper end even the wicked. Solomon said pride comes before the fall. He said there is a way that seems right that ends in death. These warnings are issued that we would not continue to walk in darkness. God wants to give us light so we see that there is a plan of salvation unfolding all around us.
The critical step of faith is to commit. Wisdom tells us to commit our plans to the Lord that He would establish our steps. Wisdom tells us that the one who trusts in the Lord is blessed. Trust is not talk. It involves sacrifice and surrender.
What does that mean to you? Where have you been focusing on your own plans rather than trusting in God’s plans? Where do you need to seek His guidance and listen to His instruction?
Don’t miss the connection to the importance and power of words. God’s words carry power and always come to pass. Solomon wants us to see that our words have power too. He said gracious words are like honey to the soul. Gossip and perverse talk cause harm and separate friends. What do your words say about whether you are committed to God? Are you using your words to help bring the kingdom or bury the King’s children?
“They made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent. “Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I supplied all their needs, yet they committed adultery…the people of Judah have been utterly unfaithful to me…Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear: Should you not fear me?” declares the Lord. “Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross…people have stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned aside and gone away…they have become rich and powerful and have grown fat and sleek. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not seek justice. They do not promote the case of the fatherless; they do not defend the just cause of the poor.” Jeremiah 5:3-28
The Bible says God is always calling us to remember our covenant relationship with Him. When He sees us sin, what bothers Him more than anything is how it reflects an unfaithful heart more than an evil action. God wants us to elevate our relationship and commit our hearts to love Him fully. He cannot stand divided hearts or divided minds. Commit your heart and He will establish your course.
In the process, if we will see, God shows us that His plan goes way beyond, just beyond bringing salvation to one person. He wants a world that obeys His word and loves justice like He does. He does not look at people and categorize them rich or poor, good or bad. He sees children that He made and loves and He wants us to look with the same loving eyes. The question we should always ask ourselves is who we can help today. You do not have to go to the ends of the Earth to see a person in need. Odds are you will see someone very soon. He puts people in our path and watches to see if we will use our gifts for good.
“A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him…Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost…So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back…“The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ “ ‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied…The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more…another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant!…After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem…you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” “Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Luke 19:1-42
Do you see how Jesus sees the sinner, the lost, and the one who needs to be saved? Jesus wants us to learn to see and love others like He does. He died on the cross to set us free from offense, self-righteous judgment, our own sin, and separating ourselves from others. He takes no delight in the apathetic servant or person who buries their talent. Following Jesus is not about avoiding sin but bringing the kingdom by proclaiming salvation has come through our Savior.
God paints a beautiful picture when the passages are read together. His Word never fails. What He spoke through Elijah came to pass. What He spoke through David was fulfilled in Jesus. What Solomon taught is proven throughout history. What Jeremiah warned against remains true today. What Jesus declared continues to unfold until He returns. The Bible is not a collection of disconnected stories but one faithful testimony that God always keeps His promises.
So where does that leave us? It leaves us with an invitation to surrender. Commit your heart to the Lord, fear Him, trust Him, and let Him establish your steps. It challenges us to see if we are trying to fit God into our plans or discovering the joy of being part of His.
As we walk with Christ, His work becomes our work. Like Zacchaeus, we become generous. Like the faithful servants, we walk by faith and use our gifts to multiply disciples. Like the disciples, we become people of praise. Like Jeremiah said, we defend the poor, seek justice, and love our neighbors.
The question is not whether God’s plans will come to pass. They will. The question is whether we want to participate in them. God has given us the greatest gift to bring about His glory. He did what we could not do for us and gave us His Spirit to guide us. Today, the call is to commit and let Christ guide you all day long. For as much as He said, “It is finished,” the faithful person sees there is more work to be done.