As we look back on how Josiah has purged the land of all manner of evil
and idolatry, gathered the money for and then set in motion the necessary
repairs that needed to made to the Temple, thereby renewing the heart
attitude of the people toward God's house, what do you think is going
to take place next?? What is all this cleansing, purging, and reforming
going to lead to, I wonder? Let's pick up with verse 14-16a of 2 Chronicles
34, and find out...
"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. 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. And Shaphan carried the book to the king....."
Hallelujah! God's Word was discovered! And those who found it knew right
where to take it - to the king who loved God and was devoted to pleasing
Him. Surely the king would be thrilled and greatly rejoice at such a treasure!
Those who love God do consider His Word a treasure; it is precious to
them.... Is that the way you feel about the Bible?? Can you be trusted
with the stewardship of the gospel?
Psalm 119:162, "I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil."
Up until now, it appears the book of the law had been forgotten about,
pushed aside, or even covered up on purpose! Nevertheless, it was hidden
from view in light of all the sinful and self-centered living that had
been going on among the people. I wonder if anybody had noticed the book
of the law was missing all that time, or ever longed for it? How knowledgeable
is our society about what is written in the Bible? Can you imagine the
Word of the Lord not being found in God's house?? What a sorry state of
affairs... I hope it's not missing in your church!! The Bible should always
have the preeminence, amen?
Psalm 119:97, "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day."
Now that a thorough purging and cleansing had taken place at the insistence
and oversight of a godly king, God's Word could be seen and recognized
for what it was - the law of the LORD, His perfect and Holy Word! If Josiah
had not wisely ordered the repair work to be done, it may have never been
found! What surprising "finds" have you made while cleaning your attic,
closets, or garage?
Consider what surprising finds you might also make while cleaning out
your heart!!
Don't skip the repair work necessary in your heart ladies, for in so doing,
you may miss out on the opportunity of coming face to face with the truth!
Set those repairs in motion - there is great reward in discovering such
a treasure...
Psalm 19:11-12, "Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping
of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse
thou me from secret faults."
When we purge and cleanse our hearts, our minds, our lives of idols, and
those things that would hinder us from having a pure and proper relationship
with the Lord, those things that would prevent us from having a reverent
and holy attitude toward God's house, God's Word is then able to take
it's rightful place in our lives again! However, before all this takes
place, we find that truth is hidden from view, buried beneath our sins...
It is nowhere to be found in our lives, and at times, not even missed
at all! Ladies, it's time we restored the Word of God to it's rightful
place in our hearts, our homes, and our churches, amen?! God's people
should rejoice each time they are confronted with God's Holy Word, and
then eat hungrily of those words of truth and continue the cleansing process...
Jeremiah 15:16, "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word
was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy
name, O Lord God of hosts."
2 Cor. 7:1, "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse
ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness
in the fear of God."
When we read God's Word and are confronted with our shortcomings and sins,
this is how we should respond... What do you think Josiah's reaction was
when the book of the Lord was brought to him? Do you think he carelessly
laid it aside until later, to read over when everything else was done
that day, or do you think
Josiah desired to know it's contents immediately after the moment of discovery?
Let's find out as we look at verses 18-19 of 2 Chronicles 34 which say:
"Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath
given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. And it came to pass,
when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes."
Upon hearing the message of the book, Josiah rent his clothes, a sign
of bitter sorrow for sin; better known as repentance... He couldn't help
but humble himself before such a HOLY God. As we read this verse, how
can we help but be challenged to humble ourselves before God in like manner,
and to seek Him as wholeheartedly as Josiah did! We have such calloused
and cold attitudes toward the message of the Lord, do we not? If we had
witnessed Josiah's reaction to the scriptures, most today would probably
label him a fanatic and thought him a bit dramatic. Why? Because it isn't
the typical reaction God gets when the preaching of His Word goes out!
You see ladies, the Bible requires action beyond our just reading and
studying it's contents... Sadly though, instead of repenting, we irreverently
and lazily daydream and doodle during the reading of the Word of God,
slouched down in our pews while mindlessly chewing our gum.... Oh sure,
we come to church with pen and paper with the intention of taking notes,
yet we leave with notebooks full of pictures we have drawn to keep ourselves
awake, our scribblings nothing more than evidence of the deadness of our
hearts to the law of the Lord! May God give us hearts as tender as Josiah's
to the Word of God and it's message of truth - hearts that are quick to
repent...
2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men
count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any
should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
After Josiah humbled himself before God, as king, he immediately became
aware of how dangerously far away from the Lord these people had traveled,
and was greatly grieved! His understanding of sin was intensified and
his heart became heavier with a burden for people around him... Exposure
to the Word of God should bring about serious change in our lives - change
for the good! How have you changed since you've discovered God's Word?
Are you thankful for it's authority over your life? Do you rejoice over
it, or dread learning of it's contents?
Are you powerfully affected by or indifferent to the preaching? Do you
have an attitude of bitter sorrow for your sin each time you read or hear
the truth? Have you become intensely aware that folks around you are in
serious bondage to sin? Have you lovingly warned them of the dangerous
consequences they stand to face? Ladies, let's be sure we are responding
properly to the Word of God, amen? Yes, Josiah rent his clothes in repentance,
but we must rend our hearts in repentance...
Joel 2:13, "And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto
the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and
of great kindness...."
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 1999 Pamela A. Iannello
