2 Kings 21-23

Here we go again, on a roller coaster of faith with God's people in Judah now that King Hezekiah is dead and buried (2 Kings 21-23).  His son, King Manasseh, seems to fly on a long downhill slope as he leads the people to lots of evil in God's eyes.  When he's gone, his son, King Amon, follows suit in the same direction.  The consequences of their choices are far reaching, affecting generations to come.  It's so sad.  And then, we meet Amon's son, King Josiah, who gets things right again for God.  He finds the book of God's Law, and that makes all the difference as Josiah is determined to renew God's covenant with His people.  Ahhh, we can breathe in some life-giving air.  I feel like holding on tight to my faith as I read.  But before I can truly catch my breath, we're back to evil kings with Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim.  Like I said, today's reading is a roller coaster of faith!

I am shaking my head.  These leaders just don't realize what they are doing to themselves and to those who are watching and following them.  Their choices and examples, with the exception of King Josiah, are devastating.  It's as if God's people have forgotten who they are.  They are God's precious children.  They belong to Him.  He is their Father, their King, their only true Savior.  And yet, no matter how chaotic their lives become, they forget to stop and hit their knees so they can look up to Him.  He's the only One who can fix things.

I have to tell you.  I have been there, so caught up and busy in my own roller coaster of this earthly life that I have failed to turn to the author and giver of my new and eternal life.

That's where King Josiah was in our reading, too, when he found the Book of Law from the time of Moses. 

Reading God's Word grounds Josiah.  It changes his perspective on his place and purpose in the world, for the better.  It also transforms his heart, and empowers him to do what is right, not for himself, but for the God who made him and saves him.  

Josiah's story is a testament to the power of God's Living Word.  Like Hezekiah, Josiah "cleans house" for God and puts everything in its place, before Him.

25 Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.

2 Kings 23-25

And the good news for us today, is that Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith, died for our sins.  So, it's never too late to turn our lives around or redirect ourselves when we become lost.  We can all do it by turning everything over to God!  And when we do, God promises us new-life, both now and for eternity.  

A prayer for today-

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your Living Holy Word.  Unleash the Holy Spirit within me as I read and transform me.  Fill me with new-life.  Ground me in Your place and purpose for me.

I want to understand Your Word for my life, please Father.

In the name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior, I pray,

Amen

Grace and peace of Christ,

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.