Bible Soundbites
Monday, 02 June 2008 00:00 | and posted in Josiah
Josiah was eight years old when he became king… Lamentations 5:20-22
Imagine becoming king at the age of eight!
Unfortunately, Josiah’s father and his grandfather, both kings before him, did ‘what was evil in the Lord’s sight.’ They worshipped idols, abandoned the Lord, and refused to follow God’s ways.
Not a great family example…so how would Josiah turn out?
Tuesday, 03 June 2008 00:00 | and posted in Josiah
He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight and followed the example of his ancestor David. He did not turn aside from doing what is right. 2 Kings 21:2
Our family background does not have to determine our future. It is possible to break the cycle of evil, or bad habits, or rejection of God.
What we need is to find good examples of people to follow – people who do what is right, are wise, and who follow God’s ways.
Who might that be in your life?
Wednesday, 04 June 2008 00:00 | and posted in Josiah
Entrust this money to the men assigned to supervise the Temple’s restoration. Then they can use it to pay workers to repair the Temple of the Lord. 2 Kings 22:5
The neglected temple was an outward symbol of how far God’s people had drifted from him.
How is your “temple” doing? Do you love others well? Do you forgive those that hurt you? Are you caring for the poor and the oppressed?
Or are there “ruins” in your life that need to be restored by putting God back in His rightful place?
Thursday, 05 June 2008 00:00 | and posted in Josiah
When the king heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes in despair. 2 Kings 22:11
The Book of the Law* had not been read for many years. Within it God had outlined what the consequences were for godly and ungodly living.
Josiah was aggrieved for he recognised that his nation had been suffering the consequences for ungodly living word for word! He was aggrieved because God offered a better way of life and yet he and his people had not chosen this way.
* Genesis to Deuteronomy.
Friday, 06 June 2008 00:00 | and posted in Josiah
You were sorry and humbled yourself before the Lord... You tore your clothing in despair and wept before me in repentance. So I have indeed heard you, says the Lord. 2 Kings 22:19
Can one person’s prayer make a difference? Josiah believed it could. Because of his repentance on behalf of his nation, God promised that the promised disaster would not happen in his lifetime.
One person’s prayers, one person’s actions, one person’s right relationship with God CAN make a difference. Keep praying; keep believing; keep standing for what is right. God may bless your home, your school or even your nation because of it.
Saturday, 07 June 2008 00:00 | and posted in Josiah
Josiah did away with the pagan priests… removed the Asherah pole from the Lord’s temple… and burned it… He also tore down the houses of the shrine prostitutes… He also defiled all the pagan shrines. 2 Kings 23:5-8
Josiah followed the Lord’s ways, prayed and repented, but he also had to put his money where his mouth was, and take some tough action.
No doubt some of his actions made him some enemies – I don’t think the pagan priests or shrine prostitutes liked him very much - but popularity wasn’t the goal of this young leader.
He had guts enough to put his faith into action – do you?
Sunday, 08 June 2008 00:00 | and posted in Josiah
Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since. 2 Kings 23:25
Do any of those words sound familiar?
When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus replied that it was to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.*
Josiah did, and his reputation for godliness has lived on forever. You’ll probably never be a king, but your spiritual influence can be just as great.
* Matthew 22:37