I've been reading only the NT portion of our readings this year, but when I saw that the OT portion contained the story of King Josiah, I had to read it - it's one of my favourite passages.
King Josiah began his reign at only 8 yrs old! Several evil kings had reigned before him, but Josiah followed God (maybe his mother's influence? The Bible doesn't say and I'd love to know!). However, because there had been evil kings before him, the Book of the Law had been lost and Josiah and his people didn't even know about all the laws they were breaking. When the King heard the Book of the Law read to him he tore his robes in grief and repentance, and instituted sweeping reforms throughout the nation in an effort to turn the hearts of the people back to the Lord.
King Josiah's life is a reminder that age has no bearing on the influence we can wield. All of us have the opportunity to influence those around us by the way we live. Perhaps not to the extent of the King, but we all have our own spheres of influence and we must use them for His glory.
I love these portions.....
19 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...I also have heard you, declares the Lord.
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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.
What an amazing legacy! To have a responsive heart, to be willing to humble himself, to be known as one who turned to the Lord with all his heart, soul, and strength - would that that phrase would be said of us!
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 2 Kings 24-25, Matthew 9
1 comment:
I always have my Grade 1 friends memorize 1 Timothy 4:12 for this reason....it doesn't matter how old we are, we can still lead by example.
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