~Old Testament Scenarios~
2 Kings
“Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes.”
2 Kings 22:11 (NKJV)
"You Are a Great Testimony of His Grace"
Did you ever wonder for just one second if Josiah, the king of Judah, thought about ignoring the Words out of the scriptures that he had heard being read out loud? Or maybe he considered putting the Book of the Law back where it had been hidden all those years, so that he and the people of the land could go on as status quo? Wouldn't it seem easier to live for themselves and not follow God's path?
Well, I don't believe he ever did. In fact, Josiah the king chose not to skim along on top of shallow surfaces of just "being sorry" over sin. Instead, he plunged head on into a deep-seated repentance. That will always lead us to a beginning of what is known as true revival. Revival starts when we meet with God and stand in His holiness and honestly face our own sin. Not for one moment did Josiah defend or excuse his actions (or that of his forefathers). He did not seem to have felt it was “too late” to change or feel that their sins were too great to be forgiven.
Similar to the actions of Isaiah the prophet, when he stood before the holiness of God, his only remark was, “Woe is me, for I am ruined!” (Is 6:5). What else can any of us do but fall to our knees with a godly remorse when confronted with our sins and God’s holiness? We must never measure ourselves to one another, but only to that of God Himself.
The Pentateuch, the first five books of the Jewish Scriptures, had either been lost or hidden during the wicked reign of the previous kings in the land of Judah. And it was not discovered until Josiah, (his name meant “The Lord Supports”), becoming king at the age of eight years old, began to repair the temple after about 10 years into his reign. It was the High priest Hilkiah who was a major figure in the nation’s and Josiah’s revival.
Have you truly “seen God”? Have you seen Him in His full holiness and splendor? Is it time to honestly face your flesh and the many directions that the sin has taken you? Like Josiah, have you allowed yourself to dive deeply in godly sorrow and turn around to change directions? Scripture tells us that Josiah, in obedience, tore down all the high places where idols were worshiped. Hmmm, are we tearing down places of idol worship in our own lives? There are idols of money, pleasure, appetites; really it's anything we place or desire before God.
Scripture tells us no other Kings before Josiah had turned their trust to the Lord with all their heart, soul, and might like Josiah had. How encouraging for each of us. It is never too late! For those who have put their faith in the redemptive work of Christ, we can also know with full confidence that our iniquities have been removed and forgiven. God the Father sees us robed in the righteousness of Christ.
Okay, how amazing is that? We serve a God of many chances and must not give in to the lies of the enemy who would delight in keeping us down and discouraged by our sins. The Lord’s Hebrew name “Shophet”, means Judge, for He is our judge who is pure and holy by His own character! Once we seriously grieve over those sins committed against the Lord and then repent of those sins; know that we now can step back into the beautiful fellowship with Jesus who is the true lover of our soul. He has a purpose for you personally and you are a great testimony of His grace.
This is your day; the Lord has given it to you. What will you do with it? Will you surrender your will and be conformed to the character of Jesus and walk with Him in purity, today and every day from now on? Isn't that what holiness is all about? Let’s say yes!
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Hebrews 4:12 (NASB)