2 Kings 22:19 “‘Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people, that they would become accursed and laid waste, and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord.'”

Josiah is one of the good kings, actually one of the best after David. This story shows that, like his ancestor David, his heart was humble before God. In our day of Bibles being so readily available it’s hard to imagine the circumstances here, but Josiah really had never heard the Bible before. (Probably what had been found was a Torah scroll, containing the five books of Moses.) When his ignorance was dealt with, his heart responded, and God responded in turn. He knew from what the scroll said that they deserved destruction, and he didn’t try to claim otherwise. Rather, in genuine, honest humility he threw himself on the grace of God. God likes that! Josiah proved what was in his heart by launching into some massive national reforms immediately after this, but the people responded only on the surface; they didn’t have any depth of understanding of God and His Word. That actually is much the case in many churches today. The average person on the church rolls doesn’t read the Bible any time but in church, if then, and doesn’t attend church all that regularly either. They don’t much know what the Bible says, and the saddest thing is, many don’t really care. In contrast to Josiah, they don’t act on what they do know, and that explains the state of the world today. What happens in government is important, certainly, but for the most part, people get the government they deserve. If the nominal Christians of “Christian” countries were to suddenly start living like true disciples of Christ, the world would be transformed virtually overnight!

I have long said that if the Christians of Japan wake up to who they are in Christ, they will transform not only the nation but the world. That’s true for any country, not just Japan, but it’s got to start somewhere. Yesterday the Lord issued a challenge through me to my church to ask God what concrete steps He wants us to take, as individuals and as a church, toward fulfilling the magnificent vision He has given us. I need to accept that challenge myself, and encourage the believers to do likewise, so that we won’t just drag along in the status quo but start moving into all that He intends for us. I’ve got to walk in the humility and decisiveness of Josiah, knowing that God will enable me to do whatever He directs me to do. I am not to be limited by the past, but joyfully anticipate the future, being fully, actively obedient in the present, so that God may do in and through me all that He desires.

Father, thank You for this strong Word of encouragement. Thank You indeed for what You are doing. Help me cooperate fully, not holding back in any way, so that Your will may be done on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!