12 April | EVERYONE
«Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.» 2 Kings 22:1, 2
Josiah, unlike his father Ammon and grandfather Manasseh, was a good king. The little monarch observed that the temple of God was in poor condition. The people did not seem to notice this sad situation, but Josiah did, and he ordered it to be renovated. He did not care about the money, how much it would cost, how it would be paid for, nothing. What mattered to him was that God would have a temple worthy of Him.
But while working on the renovation of the temple, the workers found the Book of the Law, or what today would be the Word of God, the Holy Scripture. There were divine warnings, but no one paid any attention to them. When the king received the book, he commanded, “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found” (2 Kings 22:13).
This is where the real reform began. It was not just about improving the appearance of the temple; it was about fixing life with God. The king was grieved, moved, repented, sought to know more of God’s Word, desired to do His will, sent for the prophetess Huldah, and she, in the name of God, told him that the coming destruction would not overtake him because he had humbled his heart before God (22:15-20).
Condemnation only comes to those who do not wish to turn to God. Condemnation is never irreversible. God invites the sinner to repentance. Death is the natural consequence of hardening of the heart. Jesus is always with open arms saying, “Come to me, I will give you rest.”
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When you least expect it, the Light springs up. The Lord will not forsake you. He follows in your footsteps and is not seeking to control you. At the end of the day, He only seeks to make your life easier with His protection and teachings. Surrender to Him and trust!