From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>
To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"
Sent: Fri, Jan 13, 2023 at 5:30 AM
Subject: 1-13-23 THOUGHTS
1-13-23 THOUGHTS
Josiah was perhaps the best king of the whole divided kingdom period. Brought to the throne at the tender age of 8, he demonstrated a heart toward God all the way through. Our “TAKE-AWAY” this morning is that he pursued the Word of the Lord with his whole heart once it was found! Can we come to verse 19 with any degree of realness? The cathartic “you have torn your clothes and wept before Me” speaks volumes. Ps 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
2Kings 22:1-19 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. 2 He did right in the sight of the LORD and walked in all the way of his father David, nor did he turn aside to the right or to the left. [Skip] 8 Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, "I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD." And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan who read it. 9 Shaphan the scribe came to the king and brought back word to the king and said, "Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the LORD." 10 Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king saying, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king. 11 When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes. 12 Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant saying, 13 "Go, inquire of the LORD for me and the people and all Judah concerning the words of this book that has been found, for great is the wrath of the LORD that burns against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us." [the priest goes to Huldah the prophetess] 15 She said to them, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘Tell the man who sent you to me, 16 thus says the LORD, "Behold, I bring evil on this place and on its inhabitants, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read. [Babylon eventually carried this out] 17 "Because they have forsaken Me and have burned incense to other gods that they might provoke Me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore My wrath burns against this place, and it shall not be quenched."’ 18 "But to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the LORD thus shall you say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD God of Israel, "Regarding the words which you have heard, 19 because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I truly have heard you," declares the LORD. 20 "Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes will not see all the evil which I will bring on this place."’" So they brought back word to the king.
My Prayer:
O Lord, help us to revere your word and be submissive to it. Give us a powerful desire to know you and your mind. Make our seeking you the joy of our lives. Help us to find you as we love and serve. We desire your eternal presence Father. In Jesus name, Amen.