Was Yoda referring to Leia when he said, “No, there is another.”, or was there a whole nother other yet to come? In the second Star Wars movie, “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back”, when Luke left his training with Yoda to rescue Han and Leia, Obi Wan commented, “That boy is our only hope”, prompting Yoda’s statement. Fans assumed it was Leia when Luke learned there was another Skywalker in “The Return of the Jedi”, but it may have been Darth Vader since he killed the emperor and saved the universe. But, the third trilogy introduced a whole new set of characters, one of whom saved the universe again. Considering George Lucas was making all of it up as he went along, this new “Skywalker” probably wasn’t the one he had in mind back in 1980.

Similar to Star Wars, where evil threatened to engulf the whole universe, with the rise of Athaliah in Jerusalem evil threatened to engulf the people of God. When her son Ahaziah was killed by Jehu she immediately destroyed her grandchildren to secure sole rule and power in the land (2 Kings 11:1). It seemed like there was no hope left for the nation because this evil, Baal worshiping daughter of Jezebel reigned with an iron fist, just like the emperor in Star Wars. Except this was real life with real people suffering and dying at the hands of a real evil ruler. Fortunately, God had promised His son through David (2 Samuel 7:14). That meant Athaliah had not wiped out the family of David. There was another.

Also in real life, great things happen by the courageous deeds of quiet, unassuming people. When Jehosheba, Ahaziah’s sister, heard what Athaliah was doing she stole Ahaziah’s infant son Joash and hid him away in the temple (2 Kings 11:2-3). For six long years the city and nation lived through turbulent times under the cruel tyranny of a Baal worshiping pagan, until the priests led a rebellion to place young Joash on the throne. More about that tomorrow, but suffice it to say that with the return of the king and the death of Athaliah we’re told “the city was quiet” (2 Kings 11:20). Despite Satan’s efforts through Athaliah, God’s plan, and man’s hope did not die on that fateful day in Jerusalem. Instead, there was yet hope waiting to be reignited in the hearts of discouraged people.

During difficult times great things happen through the courageous deeds of quiet, unassuming people. Instead of looking for a single another to rise and restore God’s kingdom, all believers need to go about quietly doing good deeds and declaring the hope of the gospel in a world being crushed by the cruel tyranny of Satan. Instead of sitting back in discouragement looking for “another” let there be many others – including you and me. Let us arise and restore hope.