Josiah - 2 Kings

Yesterday afternoon I finished reading 2 Kings and the story of Josiah really hit home.

As I read it, my heart was stirred to pray that I would respond like Josiah to God's Word and the conviction of His Spirit. I also was struck by our present and great need for leaders like Josiah. Men and women of faith, who would not brush off the commands of the Lord, but would wholeheartedly respond to them. Allowing the Spirit to reveal to them their own depravity, grieving deeply their own sin, not out of self imposed guilt, but awe of the Holy One and His ways.

2 Kings 22:11,19-20 "When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes." 
"Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people, that they would become accursed and laid waste, and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord. Therefore I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see the disaster I am going to bring on this place."

Josiah led the people of Judah to repentance. He gathered them together and read the Book of the Covenant to them, renewing the covenant in God's presence before them. Following this, he ordered all of the idols and priests to the idols to be done away with in the kingdom. He went so far as grinding the already burned Asherah pole into powder and scattering it over the graves. After he had removed the physical idolatry, he called for a celebration of the Passover. What a wondrous thing it is to celebrate the Living God and the abundance of His provision in all things, and how necessary it is for us to call others to do the same!

2 Kings 23:25 "Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did--with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses."




***


Josiah was eight years old when he became king. Recently I have had a bit of a refresher course on what it is like to be an eight year old. I joyfully can tell you that there are some eight-year-olds, a precious few, who grasp the truths of Scripture and seek to apply them in their lives. Literally turning the other cheek, loving the unlovable, forgiving seventy times seven, and  sharing their faith with others. What a blessing this is to my heart. I pray for these sweet ones that they may be like Josiah, men and women of bold faith and humble hearts all their days for His glory and renown.