Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father; and he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. 2 Chronicles 34:1-2 ESV
2 Chronicles 34-35 tells the story of Josiah, the young king who trusted God. In the eighth year of his reign he started seeking God, and by the twelfth year he started to rid his land of idols. After he had cleaned the land of idols, he sent workers to repair the LORD’s temple. While they where repairing it, the High Priest discovered the Book of the Law of the LORD and brought it to Josiah.
And when the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes. 2 Chronicles 34:19 ESV
Josiah expresses immense grief upon discovering that the extent at which Judah had departed from God. Because he humbled himself before the LORD, God promises him that the disaster upon Judah would not come during his lifetime. Josiah’s humbleness and sorrow showed that he was truly sorry about how far Judah had departed from the LORD, and God clearly treasured that. After hearing the Word of the LORD, Josiah gathering the people together and to read the Book of the Covenant. Josiah then held the greatest Passover celebration in Israel since the days of Samuel.
Josiah’s faith and humility is a model I look up too. It is clear that Josiah loved God and was brokenhearted when he discovered how far Judah true had wandered from God. I pray God makes me more like Josiah, heartbroken when God’s Word isn’t kept but an ardent celebrator of His Truth.
We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labor, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 2 Corinthians 6:4-7 ESV
Dear God, please make me like Josiah, with a humble and contrite spirit towards Your Words. Please help me persevere through afflictions and follow You and Your ways. Thank You for sending Jesus, because I could never be good enough to please You on my own. Thank You for Your Word. In Your Holy Name, Amen.
Nathanael (nborger2017)
Sixty-six books in a year 