Monday, July 29
Read 2 Chronicles 34
Think About It:
- One of the best chapters in the Bible, highlighting a king who (finally!) does what is right in the eyes of the LORD, AND he removes the high places! How many kings did what was right but did not tear down the high places? How many times do Christians hang on to their little sacred cows and try to justify things they want to do – not realizing the sacrifice required to become more like Jesus. Josiah “chopped down altars of the Baals, cut down incense altars, broke in pieces the Asherim and images and made dust of them, scattering over the graves of those who sacrificed to them… beating the images into powder throughout all the land of Israel.” It is not enough to look the other way and allow those high places in our lives. We must destroy them completely. Have you ever asked God, “What are the ‘high places’ in my life that I have not destroyed, that are not pleasing to you?” God says to be Holy because He is holy. We continually walk toward that goal until we see Him face to face.
- Josiah loved the LORD and is obvious when he heard the words of the Law and tore his clothes as he realized his forefathers did not obey the word of the LORD, “to do according to all that is written in this book.” That is reverence! And that is a rare quality in people. But God knew Josiah’s tender heart and showed mercy because Josiah humbled himself before God.
So first, Josiah heard the word of the LORD, second he repented for the acts of his forefathers, third he read all the words of the Book of the Covenant to everyone and fourth he promised (made a covenant before the LORD) “to walk after the LORD and to keep His commandments and his testimonies and His statues, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book”. Last of all, Josiah made everyone join him in that promise, for their benefit. This is the progression we make as Christians – we get saved and repent, read the Word of God and obey, share the Word of God with those we know and live it out before them as an example, and finally we lead others to get saved and repent. Ask God to be more sensitive to areas needing repentance and who He wants you to share the Gospel with and point to Jesus.
Family Time:
Memory Verse(s) for the Week (one or both):
Jeremiah 29:10 – For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:12-13 – Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for me with all your heart.
- How old was Josiah when he became king?
- Did Josiah follow God? (verse 2)
Read this chapter carefully. Notice all the things that Josiah did for the LORD. Do you see that even as young as 8 years old you can choose to do things God’s way and be a leader? Josiah was a good king. In verse 33 we learn that for all Josiah’s days the people did not depart from God. Being young is no excuse to not follow God and learn to change the lives of people around us. Are you doing this? If so, how? If not, why?
