I'm too busy.
I wouldn't do a good job.
I'm too old.
People won't listen to me.
I'm not smart enough.
You don't want someone like me.
That's too much work.
For Josiah, this sentence ended with "I'm only 8 years old". In his time, however, becoming King wasn't something you could run away from. You couldn't opt out of taking the throne. You were born in. Sworn into the royal family at your conception. Think about the magnitude of what happened here. Josiah, at 8 years of age, was plucked from the playground and placed on the throne. This wasn't just any throne. It was in Jerusalem, the holy city, reigning over God's people and the kingdom of Judah.
As the story goes, the people had rebelled against God in the years leading up to Josiah's reign. His father, King Amon, had driven the country to their spiritual deathbed. The temple was in shambles. There were idols of bronze and silver scattered throughout the kingdom. Altars dedicated to other gods were prominent in their cities.
When Josiah's servant, Hilkiah, found the Book of God's Law in the temple and Josiah read of God's commands, he was overtaken with sorrow for the sad state of his nation. Josiah, as stated in 2 Kings 22:2, "always obeyed the Lord, just as his ancestor David had done." Imagine his surprise when he found that what he'd always known to be right was truly counter to what God desired.
This has happened in all of our lives.
We wake up one day and see that the lifestyle we've been living does not line up with God's kingdom vision. But it's what our family does. We're successful and loved and accepted. But we see that it's not what we're called to be.
We realize that the movies we watch, the music we listen to, and the books that we read are not edifying to God. But they're popular. They help us to fit in with our neighbors, friends, and coworkers. It would affect our social lives to change it.
We fight our children's changing attitudes, as they conform to what is socially acceptable among their peers. The words they use, the attitudes they don, and the trends they follow are simply those which are cool among peers. They may be outcasted if they attempt to follow a different path.
For Josiah, revelation came through the uncovering of the Book of God's Law. And he refused to stand stagnantly in his country's sin. Three things happened:
- Josiah asked God to change his heart. He wanted to understand the ins and outs of what was expected of his people
- Josiah cleaned up his act. He removed all idols and altars from the kingdom that were dedicated to other Gods. He tore down buildings where pagan events were held. He met with pagan priests and demanded that they turn their lives over to the Lord. And he decreed that the land of Judah would, for the first time in many years, would communally celebrate Passover.
- Josiah rebuilt the temple. Funds were raised, workers were recruited, and plans we drafted. The temple, the central location for worship, was brought back to life. Josiah was planning for a future of dedication to the one true Lord.
 |
| Alex removes the dirt to reveal God's message: "We are ALL a part of God's family." |
 |
| Cameron, Terrell, and Diamond work together to rebuild the temple of God. |
But we are called to be a part of the royal family. God has called us to join the Kingdom movement. To claim our portion of the land of Judah. Our inheritance. But many of us are blind to what that truly means. Like Josiah, we must ask for an awakening of our hearts to God's desires and pray for the courage to clean up and rebuild our own portion of the kingdom.
Josiah began his reformation at 8. When will you begin yours?
Until next week...Kenbe fo. Keep strong.
C.
No comments:
Post a Comment