JESUS today YOU will SAVE me.
Eat This Book
Read Proverbs Chapter 15
2 Chronicles 34
1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.
2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.
3 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.
4 And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them.
5 And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.
6 And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about.
7 And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.
8 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the Lord his God.
9 And when they came to Hilkiah the high priest, they delivered the money that was brought into the house of God, which the Levites that kept the doors had gathered of the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim, and of all the remnant of Israel, and of all Judah and Benjamin; and they returned to Jerusalem.
10 And they put it in the hand of the workmen that had the oversight of the house of the Lord, and they gave it to the workmen that wrought in the house of the Lord, to repair and amend the house:
11 Even to the artificers and builders gave they it, to buy hewn stone, and timber for couplings, and to floor the houses which the kings of Judah had destroyed.
12 And the men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set it forward; and other of the Levites, all that could skill of instruments of musick.
13 Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and were overseers of all that wrought the work in any manner of service: and of the Levites there were scribes, and officers, and porters.
14 And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the Lord, Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the Lord given by Moses.
15 And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan.
16 And Shaphan carried the book to the king, and brought the king word back again, saying, All that was committed to thy servants, they do it.
17 And they have gathered together the money that was found in the house of the Lord, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and to the hand of the workmen.
18 Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.
19 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.
20 And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king’s, saying,
21 Go, enquire of the Lord for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord, to do after all that is written in this book.
22 And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college:) and they spake to her to that effect.
23 And she answered them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Tell ye the man that sent you to me,
24 Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah:
25 Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place, and shall not be quenched.
26 And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to enquire of the Lord, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard;
27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the Lord.
28 Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again.
29 Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.
30 And the king went up into the house of the Lord, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the Lord.
31 And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book.
32 And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.
33 And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the Lord their God. And all his days they departed not from following the Lord, the God of their fathers.
The POFW Daily Bible Reading 
Verse 33 MSG “Josiah did a thorough job of cleaning up the pollution that had spread throughout Israelite territory and got everyone started fresh again, serving and worshiping their God. All through Josiah’s life the people kept to the straight and narrow, obediently following God, the God of their ancestors.” Once again we see the importance of leadership. Manasseh in the previous chapter had led Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem off the beaten path into practices of evil; while Josiah in this chapter did the total opposite, getting the people on the straight and narrow obediently following God. Whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, someone somewhere is watching to see what you choose to do. We learned this past Sunday in Sunday School that what we say is in our heart (Jesus), should be reflected in our words and actions.
27. Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the Lord.
Psalm 51:17
The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. NLT
3 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.
All it took was an 8 year old child to turn things around. No matter how feeble we are or how little we think we can do. We must remember that God used an 8 year old boy to purge his people. I have 2 kids around that age and its hard to image an 8 year old being king and proclaiming that. It is as simple as obedience, just simply obeying what God commands us to do.
2 Chronicles 34:18-19 & 26-27 (NLT)
18) Shaphan also told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a scroll.” So Shaphan read it to the king.
19) When the king heard what was written in the Law, he toree his clothes in despair.
26) “But go to the king of Judah who sent you to seek the LORD and tell him: This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says concerning the message you have just heard.
27) You were sorry and humbled yourself before God when you heard his words agaist this city and its people. You humbled yourself and tore your clothing in despair and wept before me in repentance. And I have indeed heard you.”
The question is, “When the Word of God is read, taught, or preached to us, how do we respond to it? Does it stir our hearts to repentance or do we turn a deaf ear?”
“All scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Tim. 3:16
27 You were sorry and humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this city and its people. You humbled yourself and tore your clothing in despair and wept before me in repentance. And I have indeed heard you, says the Lord. (NLT)
The word of God is like a sharp two-edged sword, it should pierce the hearts of those who hear/read it. I’ve heard many people say before, “be worried when you become numb to His word.” There is always something to be learned from the word of God; bless us, bless me, Lord with new convictions that we may become more like You and closer to You.
27. Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the Lord.
God values leaders who can be humbled before the presence of God and repent before him. God can use and deal with those type of leaders and do great things in them and through them.
iLove to Grow in the Word
26“But go to the king of Judah who sent you to seek the lord and tell him: ‘This is what the lord, the God of Israel, says concerning the message you have just heard: 27You were sorry and humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this city and its people. You humbled yourself and tore your clothing in despair and wept before me in repentance. And I have indeed heard you, says the lord. 28So I will not send the promised disaster until after you have died and been buried in peace.
Wow, this is the kind of prayer that God hears. This is the kind of prayer that moves the anger of God away from us and removes all curses that were heading in our direction. The prayer of humility is a prayer that will be heard.
2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.
Even at a young age ,they make up in their minds to serve God. Let train tgis generation to love God.
3 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.
4 And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them.
So many of our children are getting sucked into the newest and coolest thing. It consumes them. A lot of the games and video games out there have become a lifestyle for children and adults. They spend more time on it than talking to the Lord. When you take it away they become violent and hysterical. I proclaim by the Blood of Jesus that a spirit of Josiah be loosed among our young people. I pray they develop a burning passion in their souls and hearts that cannot be contained. I pray that every high place is torn down, every idol smashed to powder, every imagination brought into captivity and the Holy Spirit of the Almighty God rule and reign in their lives and in their homes in Jesus name!!!! Amen!!
LEADERSHIP DEMONSTRATED
32 And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.
The challenge for Church Leaders is found here through Josiah. Consider the actions and responses of the King to the WORD of GOD in Leading Israel. The only true goal in Leadership for the Church is to convert followers to an everlasting relationship with JESUS. Inspiring followers to align themselves with the covenant or WORD of GOD. GOD reveals to us the unique process by which Josiah led Israel to GOD.
1. SEEK THE LORD THROUGH REPENTANCE
3 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.
4 And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them.
5 And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.
The FIRST action of every Leader is to clean house, our house and the house of the LORD. Cleansing of everything, no hidden idols.
2. REPAIR THE HOUSE
8 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the Lord his God.
At the age of 26, Josiah delegated the restoration of the House of the LORD, he utilized his resources, physical and financial to REPAIR THE HOUSE of the LORD.
3. HUNGER FOR MORE
17 And they have gathered together the money that was found in the house of the Lord, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and to the hand of the workmen.
18 Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.
19 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.
20 And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king’s, saying,
All too often when Leaders experience success, there is temptation to become lazy, complacent and content. However, Leaders after the heart of GOD, know there is always MORE to learn and accomplish for GOD. Proud leaders become content and complacent and reject the call for MORE. Josiah teaches us that, as Leaders we can also be sensitive when revelation is granted. He also teaches us the proper response.
HE RENT HIS CLOTHES does not mean that he bare himself, but he humbled himself and took off his ROYAL apparel that identified him as king. HUNGRY Leaders are willing to HUMBLE themselves.
4. TAKE ACTION
21 Go, enquire of the Lord for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord, to do after all that is written in this book.
Josiah was not only concerned about himself and his well being, his CARE for his followers inspired him to TAKE ACTION and send for understanding for ME and THEM THAT ARE LEFT.
5. DISPLAYED COURAGE IN PERILOUS TIMES
30 And the king went up into the house of the Lord, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the Lord.
31 And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book.
32 And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.
Once the news was delivered of the judgement of GOD for the people, Josiah did not run and hide or duck for cover. He STOOD in HIS PLACE. Leaders display COURAGE in troubling times. Josiah STOOD in his PLACE and caused or LEAD others to STAND also and make COVENANT or promise with GOD.
May the LORD JESUS Lead us today to GROW into more effective and influential Leaders for HIS Kingdom.
iRepent
iPraise
iPray
iWork
iGive
iReap
Awesome word Pastor!
Are covenants really serious to God?
Each year here at POFW the leadership enter into a covenant; not only with Pastor but with God. We promise various things such as pray, fast, tithe, blog, etc. Other covenants are those associated with Impacting our Future Together. There are still other covenants we participate in; those in music ministry promise to pray, fast, be on time, learn – etc. How serious is this?
“and before God solemnly committed himself to the covenant: to follow God believingly and obediently; to follow his instructions, heart and soul, on what to believe and do; to confirm with his life the entire covenant, all that was written in the book.”
Just because we don’t feel like it anymore does not excuse from our obligations. Maybe we have lost our passion for music, children’s ministry or hospitality; there is a season where we recommit ourselves to these covenants. We as grown adult people should understand and honor our word. I am guilty of not fully honoring my covenants. I pray that God will continue to have mercy on my soul as I continue to mature and be more diligent in my commitments.
7 And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.
As Christians we have to constantly clean our house spiritually and remove all those things that do not satisfy the Lord. We must let God help us remove all those things and completely trust in Him. It’s so important to follow the Lord and do what pleases Him and not us. We must love what he loves and hate what He loves for we must be holy for He is Holy!!!!! We can’t say we are Christians. “Followers of Christ” and not do what is pleasing to Him. I learned that in order to let God use you, you must have your carnality under submission. We can’t be operating in the flesh and expect God to use us in the spiritual. Sometimes we complicate things more and hold back God from using us because of a pleasure we can’t let go off. We have to always look in the spiritual and ask God how does He want to use me!?!?!? Dont let your carnality be an obstacle of someone’s salvation!!!! Jesus Help Me!!!!
We have read chapter after chapter shee the kings did right in the sight of the Lord and so did the people, and then the next king would do evil in the sight of the Lord and so did the people. This is a great example of why we need to have our own relationship with God.
It doesn’t matter what my leader does, if I have a personal conviction from the Lord, I’m not going to stop upholding my conviction just because my leader is not convicted about it.
People can follow the Lord regardless of what their leader does. We must sure up our foundation, know what we believe and why we believe. Let the Spirit of God convicts us and don’t be swayed from that conviction once we take a stand.
The workers served faithfully under the leadership of Jahath and Obadiah, Levites of the Merarite clan, and Zechariah and Meshullam, Levites of the Kohathite clan. Other Levites, all of whom were skilled musicians, were put in charge of the laborers of the various trades. Still others assisted as secretaries, officials, and gatekeepers.
2 Chronicles 34:12-13 NLT
We must stay faithful to what we sign up we might not agree what everything but we need to stay faithful
27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the Lord.
28 Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again.
Being tenderhearted and humbling himself before God brought peace to his life, his people and his country. Josiah was an example for all the people to watch-he led them back to the knowledge of their God and to observe his commandments once again. I pray to be tenderhearted before the Lord, quick to repent, so that I can get back on track when ever the Lord sees I get out of his will. That means hearing the word of correction and instruction without getting puffed up or offended and stay on this straight and narrow path.
2 Chronicles 34
1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.
2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.
3 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.
While reading this my mind immediately went to a small house church in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan (former soviet). I watched a child stand at a piano who had never taken one lesson and began to lead a congregation of 50 plus in a small room into worship. His story was he was given the small piano tyoe keyboard and got up one morning and just began to play. His hands being used of God to push out the old tradition of strongholds and inviting the presence of God into our midst that day. I had the privelage to return there again and the young child was still growing in favor with God. Still worshipping and leading the group that gathered secretly in a house to worship God. That year God filled him and several other children with the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and also baptized in the name of Jesus.
As Josiah while he was yet young he bagan to seek after God.
In a country where you are not supposed to have church or speak about God in any public or private place yet this child wavered not in what God had set before him! We are so blessed for the freedom we still have and we must use it to purge out everything unlike God. While we still have this freedom! Instead of worrying about so much petty things why are we not using our family time and ties for the glory of God! It will be worth it! Are we promoting our children to worship or to worry,to love or to hate, to truth or false doctrines, to peaceful conversations or backbiting and bitterness. Oh we will have to stand by many children and adults alike who have risked their life for the kingdom, people who don’t know what running water is, or heat or have never seen enough food to satisfy their hungry stomachs yet we complain and seek after so many things,oh but for the kingdom of God help us to seek You and to build up the kingdom as Josiah did at a young age.
“The sins of our fathers”
Josiah had to clean house of the evil his fathers had brought apon Israel. Once he knew the word of God he knew Israel should had Been punished for their acts. This country also should be punished for its evil. We deserve to be punished because if the evil our generations has brought. The lawlessness. The hatred. The lust.
But we will cry out! And fall to our knees on our faces. Jesus heal our land!
“And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the Lord their God. And all his days they departed not from following the Lord, the God of their fathers.”
2 Chronicles 34:33 KJV
2 Chronicles 34:22 Hilkiah and those the king had sent with him went to speak to the prophet Huldah who was the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath the son of Hasrah keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem in the New Quarter. She said to them this is what the Lord the God of Israel says. Tell the man who sent you to me this is what the Lord says I am going to bring disaster on this place and it’s people all the curses written in the book that has been read in the presence of the king of Judah. Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and aroused my anger by all that their hands have made my anger will be poured out on this place and will not be quenched. Tell the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the Lord. This is what the Lord the God of Israel says concerning the words you heard. Because your heart was responsive and you humble yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and it’s people and because you humble yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence I have heard you declares the Lord. Now I will gather you to your ancestors and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I’m going to bring on this place and on those who live here. So they took her answer back to the king. Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. He went up to the temple of the Lord with the people of Judah the inhabitants of Jerusalem the priests and the Levites all the people from least to greatest.
Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.
2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.
3 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.
4 And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them.
5 And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.
The kings keep getting younger and younger! God can use whoever he chooses to use no matter how old you are. GOD just needs someone that is humble and willing to follow his commandments. We over complictate things with our own selfish desires or fears. Gzod is incontrol seek him in every situation he will give u direction for your life just like this young king we read about today.
Yes the Lord will destroy this city and it’s people all the curses written in the scroll will come true .for my people have forsaken me and have worship other gods
26 And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to enquire of the Lord, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard;
27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the Lord.
21 Go, enquire of the Lord for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord, to do after all that is written in this book.
22 And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college:) and they spake to her to that effect.
23 And she answered them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Tell ye the man that sent you to me,
24 Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah:
25 Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place, and shall not be quenched.
26 And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to enquire of the Lord, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard;
27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the Lord.
28 Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again.
29 Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.
30 And the king went up into the house of the Lord, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the Lord.
31 And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book.
32 And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.
33 And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the Lord their God. And all his days they departed not from following the Lord, the God of their fathers.
Even though King Josiah wanted to rectify all of these matters ,there were still consequences to be dealt with. He was a king and we are servants of The MOST HIGH GOD, shouldn’t we rethink the decisions twice and the times before having to deal with consequences as well or should we just go ahead with OUR plans, you know there’s plenty of mercy to go around???
3 During the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David. Then in the twelfth year he began to purify Judah and Jerusalem, destroying all the pagan shrines, the Asherah poles, and the carved idols and cast images.
1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.
2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.
3 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.
There comes a point in a youg persons life that they will have to make a choice. A young person make come to church and hear and see and even learn about the Lord but until they make that choice in their hear he has not become the Lord of their lives. There needs to be a point where the God of their fathers needs to be my God or our God. All the way untill the age of 16 thats when Josiah began to seek the Lord God of his father. That to me says there was still not a deep intamete relationship built today. Then in his 12th year as king began to purge and take away the evil things. I believe that those were 4 years of personal growth and intimate time where the Lord God of his father became His God. To the youth of today, and everyone else included lets not wait to start seeking God and seeking His word. Let His Kingdom come and His will be done your life
Isaiah 55:6-7King James Version (KJV)
6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
3 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.
A 20 year old stood up for what was right, stood up against paganism, didn’t matter if everyone else worshipped another god, he took back what the sevik had claimed as his own.
If we were to set our minds on pleasing God, we can change to atmosphere around us, it doesn’t matter how old you are, you can make a difference.
27 Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD. NIV
2 Chronicles 34:27-28 (NLT)
27 You were sorry and humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this city and its people. You humbled yourself and tore your clothing in despair and wept before me in repentance. And I have indeed heard you, says the Lord. 28 So I will not send the promised disaster until after you have died and been buried in peace. You yourself will not see the disaster I am going to bring on this city and its people.’”
So they took her message back to the king.
I believe this is what we are facing today. Because we have prayed, repented, and asked God to heal our land we stand facing the prospect of a promising future and world wide revival and harvest.
He is true to his word. He will not turn away such as be of a contrite heart, and humble spirit.
For a king to find favor in God’s eyes, he had to do according to what the word of God said. If we expect to receive blessings from God, we must humble ourselves before the word of God and allow it to lead us. We cannot overcome sin without the power of God.
27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the Lord.
With a sincere heart and a humble spirit you can get the attention of God!
27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the Lord.
When we look at this verse, we have to remember the origin of this story: The people first started humbling themselves after they discovered the word of God and read it. When you read the word of God, it should open things up to you. When it gives you a revelation, sometimes it’s a revelation on what you have done and how you may have sinned. Or maybe it’s just you have followed and seeked after God the way you should have.
This revelation should lead you to a place where you know you need to repent and then sincerely humble yourself and turn yourself away from whatever it was that turned you away from God. And God will hear you and he listen to your cry and he will give you the strength you need.
Just remember this, God starts listening to you when you start listening to God, by reading his word.
3 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.
We have great oppertunity with the children. If we convey His word, wholly, they too will seek The Lord with all they have
5 And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.
Burning Bridges
There are some bridges that need to be burnt and never crossed again. Bridges that are attached to or built on idolatry should be destroyed and never returned to. Yet, we should rebuild and allow it to be a place of humility a place where His spirit abides.
1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.
Giving Israel an eight year old king was Gods way of humbling The nation. It doesn’t matter what the leader looks like but it does matter what God is going to accomplish in him. I don’t say much about the election but this reminds me that God puts up whom he chooses and we just have to pray that they respond to the calling that God has given them. This king was an unlikely success but he ended up changing Israels path forever.
Humility
Josiah came to the Lord in humility. He did not try to prove how he was right. When he heard the message given by the word he received it and changed. This is sometimes a large thing to swallow. Pride causes us to try to prove ourselves correct or explain why what we did is alright. Humility is not always easy. We must take a deep breath and allow God to correct us while we maintain an attitude of humility. Iron sharpens iron. Sometimes the sharpening hurts.
v33 Thus Josiah removed all the abominations from all the children of Israel, and made all who were present in Israel diligently serve the LORD their God. All his days they did not depart from following the LORD God of their fathers.
GOD cannot tolerate sin.HE desires a people who will be true to HIM in worship.
“Go, enquire of the Lord for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord, to do after all that is written in this book.” The word of God (Jesus) said “because our fathers”. There is a season in life when our fathers are to teach us; however there is also a season when we must seek for ourselves. Nevertheless one should be mindful and prayerful that all would taste and see the Lord (God) is good. Dear God, help us become more like you in hopes that we would not be seen, but that you would be seen. God Bless America, Israel, Jerusalem, and you all in Jesus name, Amen!
“And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.” We all will walk the path of life; however the choice is ours alone as too the direction. Even still we all need the Lord for our walk; therefore we should pray that our paths and others would neither decline “to the right hand, nor to the left”. God bless us with sight to see the path straight to you, in Jesus name.
3 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
Josiahs youth did not stop him from leading a nation. It’s hard to imagine a child so young being used of God this nightly because we don’t see it like this these days. He would seek God and in the twelfth year began to follow him by getting rid of the things that could distract. He put feet to his faith in God and pulled him closer with the finding of the Law of Moses. When we seek God and follow him he will lead us to deeper revelations.
3 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.
4 And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them.
5 And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.
Josiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
“While they were bringing out the money collected at the LORD’s Temple, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the LORD that was written by Moses.
When the king heard what was written in the Law, he tore his clothes in despair.”
2 Chronicles 34:14, 19 NLT
Thankful for God’s Word!
“But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”
Psalms 1:2-3 NLT
12 The workers served faithfully under the leadership of Jahath and Obadiah, Levites of the Merarite clan, and Zechariah and Meshullam, Levites of the Kohathite clan. Other Levites, all of whom were skilled musicians, 13were put in charge of the laborers of the various trades. Still others assisted as secretaries, officials, and gatekeepers.
No matter what position you hold at work, in the church, sports team, or club serve your position faithfully. Give your best no matter what, and dont allow someone to keep from completing your job on time and accurately.