Read 2 Chronicles 34–36
Highlights:
Josiah’s reign; Book of the Law found; fall of Jerusalem; captivity of Judah; decree of Cyrus to rebuild the Temple
For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images (2 Chr. 34:3).
Josiah became king at a young age. He walked in the ways of the Lord throughout his entire reign. He set out to establish things as they were in the days of his great grandfather, Hezekiah.
He took away the idols and the groves. He tore down the altars that were made to the false gods. He set out to follow the commandments and laws of God. Josiah was a man who wanted to be close to God. He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him (John 14:21).
Not only did Josiah become king at a young age, he began to move Judah back to a place of serving God at a young age as well. The years recorded in this verse tell the progression of his faith by age. He would have been sixteen years old as he began to seek after God. By the age of twenty, he had begun to tear down and remove all tributes to false gods.
There have been many in the Word of God and in times since that have felt limited in their abilities for one reason or another. Moses felt hindered by his speech patterns. Gideon felt inadequate for the task that was at hand. Esther experienced fear based on past events. The fact is that each of these was chosen by God for a task. As long as they dedicated themselves to God's cause, they could not fail. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28).
Many today feel the same way about accomplishing something meaningful for the Lord. They may say, "I am too old or young." Others will say, I can't preach, teach, sing or play an instrument. What good could I be to the kingdom of God? The answers to that question are limitless. The first, and most important thing any of us can do is show the love of Christ to others. This will make some of the greatest changes in hearts and lives for Gods' Kingdom. Also keep in mind, any individual can do whatever God calls them to do.
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another (Gal. 5:13).
Thought for Today:
Meddling in another’s business is a form of pride thinking that we know better than anyone how to better handle the situation.
Christ Revealed:
Through the messengers of God who were rejected by His people (2 Chr. 36:15-16; compare Is. 53:3; Mark 9:12). Jesus came unto His own (his own people), and His own received Him not (John 1:11; also Matt. 21:42; Mark 8:31; 12:10; Luke 9:22; 17:25; 20:17).
Word Studies:
35:13 sod, boiled; 36:3 put him down, deposed him; condemned, taxed; demanded tribute; 36:10 brother, uncle; 36:15 rising up betimes, early every morning.
Prayer Suggestion: Bless the Lord that His Word is absolutely trustworthy (1 Kings 8:56).
Optional Reading: 2 Corinthians 2
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 119:157