The Beginning Of Josiah's Revival

The Beginning Of  Josiah's Revival 

II Kings 23:3-5 NKJV

[3] Then the king stood by a pillar and made a covenant before the Lord, to follow the Lord and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people took a stand for the covenant. [4] And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests of the second order, and the doorkeepers, to bring out of the temple of the Lord all the articles that were made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven; and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel. [5] Then he removed the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense on the high places in the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem, and those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, to the moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven. 

These are the words of Micah Stsmpley in a the popular song titled, "One Word". " Oh Lord speak into my life. I am a living sacrifice

Your word says live and not die

Oh Lord speak into my life....

One word I'm living this moment on a word

Not just any word but a word from you

A word that says I'm healed delivered and set free

There are no more chains holding me (Can I get a witness out here)". 

      We may not be able to quote the entire lyrics, but it appears to describe what happened to Josiah and started him on a streak of revival. This is what my Ai describes as scriptural revival, " In the Bible, revival is a spiritual awakening or renewal that can refer to a person, a region, or a group of people. It can also mean a restoration of God's presence among his people". When the King called all elders of Judah and Jerusalem to the house of the Lord, he was set on a reawakening.  It all happened because the King heard a word, the word of the Lord. 

     Got Questions? describes it deeper, " Revival refers to a spiritual reawakening from a state of dormancy or stagnation in the life of a believer. It encompasses the resurfacing of a love for God, an appreciation of God’s holiness, a passion for His Word and His church, a convicting awareness of personal and corporate sin, a spirit of humility, and a desire for repentance and growth in righteousness". And it all begins with the entrance of the word. One word.

     Got Questions continues the exposition. " In the letter to Ephesus, Christ praised the church for their perseverance and discernment, but He stated that they had forsaken their first love (Revelation 2:4-5). Many times as the excitement of acceptance to Christ grows cold, we lose the zeal that we had at first. We become bogged down in the ritual, going through the motions, but we no longer experience the joy of serving Christ. Revival helps restore that first love and passion for Christ. Revelation 2:10-11 refers to the church at Smyrna, which was suffering intense persecution. The cares and worries of life can beat us down, leaving us emotionally, physically, and spiritually exhausted. Revival can lift us up to new hope and faith". We are familiar with the arguments against revival. King Josiah had no time for dialectics. He wanted a serious reawakening. What do you want. Are you satisfied in your state? Or, do you want more of God? It may be time to clean the house for a real revival.Good morning.

The Impact Of Reading The Word

The Impact Of Reading The Word

II Kings 22:8, 10-13 NKJV

[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, and he read it. 

[10] Then Shaphan the scribe showed the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king. [11] Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes. [12] Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Michaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king, saying, [13] “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the Lord that is aroused against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.”

I was nine years old and had just learnt how to read. I came home one afternoon, and decided to read the story of the crucifixion. I sat down on the kitchen floor and I cried. I cried at the injustice to God's son whose only concern was to save the world. I wondered whether the people couldn't see through the scam of the devil to decieve the world. That was the best exegesis I could muster then. That event made a very strong impression on me. More than fifty five years later, the Word still makes a deeper impression on me.

    The Word of God is the source of truth, guidance, and transformation. It  helps people live lives of faith and obedience, and bring comfort and hope to the oppressed. Stacey Salsbery is a mother and a Bible teacher. She has a beautiful blog written on January 1,2024, where she exposed on "20 Benefits Of Being In Gods Word". We have no space to reproduce it here. Please find it and read the blog. " If only the world could grasp the benefits available to the soul who seeks God through His Word—willing to see it as truth, clinging to it at every turn. For the Word of God is life-changing and life-sustaining and life-giving. And it’s so much more, as the author of Psalm 119 ESV testifies. The psalmist offers us numerous reasons to run to the comfort of Scripture and never turn away from it.". Our entry today testifies to this impact on the King. V.11. That's where the Josiah's revival began, from the impact of the word.

    This is Hebrews 4:12. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart".  Check out Rom.1:16 and 10:17. Stay with us as we examine what the word did to the Kingship of Josiah. Read the word. Good morning.

Turning Tragedies I to Blessings.

Turning Tragedies Into Blessings 

II Kings 21:23-24 NKJV

[23] Then the servants of Amon conspired against him, and killed the king in his own house. [24] But the people of the land executed all those who had conspired against King Amon. Then the people of the land made his son Josiah king in his place.

Josiah was programmed  to be fatherless and a failure. He was meant to be another young child the devil could dominate in preparation to run the throne. Let me explain.The National Center For Fathering predicts what the likelihood of people like Josiah were going to be in life. "... children from fatherless homes are more likely to be poor, become involved in drug and alcohol abuse, drop out of school, and suffer from health and emotional problems. Boys are more likely to become involved in crime, and girls are more likely to become pregnant as teens". That information is from The Journal Of Family Issues 25( January,2004 ). It has more damaging information. Thank God Josiah didn't read that. Sometimes ignorance is a blessing. That means that sometimes being unaware of certain information can allow you face life with a stronger sense of peace. Add to that , God was ahead of the enemy. The mother, Jedidah, did an excellent job. Josiah was eight when he became King.

   Josiah's father, Amon was assasinated, by his servants. But they were not celebrated. They touched the Lord's  anointed. They died for it. The lesson is that our job is to pray against evil, not to act as God. We are about to enter one of the finest seasons of religious reforms Judah had ever known. God can, and will turn your tragedies into blessings. The help will come from a very unlikely source. Just imagine with me the consternation in hell.... wondering: how did they loose it?  Today, may that consternation bring you joy and peace and your enthronement in Jesus Name. Good morning.

when God Responds

When God Responds 

II Kings 21:10-14 NKJV

[10] And the Lord spoke by His servants the prophets, saying, [11] “Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations (he has acted more wickedly than all the Amorites who were before him, and has also made Judah sin with his idols), [12] therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Behold, I am bringing such calamity upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whoever hears of it, both his ears will tingle. [13] And I will stretch over Jerusalem the measuring line of Samaria and the plummet of the house of Ahab; I will wipe Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. [14] So I will forsake the remnant of My inheritance and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become victims of plunder to all their enemies, 

Sin is an " immoral act and a transgression of divine laws". It is not just a weakness  but a hamartia on what perhaps could have been a beautiful character. It is an offence against God. In theatre it is described as a tragic flaw, a fatal mistake that will lead to the downfall of the tragic hero. That description is from the Greek word, " to err".

   Whenever hamartia is at work, it will set forth chain of events that will eventually result in a reversal of fortunes for the character. In our read today, Manasseh and Judah are about to enter that reversal. God is the Judge. He is reading out the judgements through the prophets. Read that again. V.12 " Behold, I am bringing such calamity upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whoever hears of it, both his ears will tingle". There's a sense of dread on what God is about to unleash.

    " Hamartiology explains why, how, and the consequences of humans "missing the mark". It also explains how humans miss the mark of righteousness, which is God's standard for living". Any sin that is not confessed and forsaken will naturally attract God's response as judgement .  1 John 1:9 says, " If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness". I think that's the sweetest verse in the Bible. Don't wait for God to respond. Its a mark of pride to assume you can beat God in this. Mannasseh learnt it the hard way, so you don't. We can break the hubris and go to God in repentance. God wont manipulate  you. His word is  standard. Keep the date tomorrow. Good morning.

The Book of Our Chronicles

The Book Of Our Chronicles 

II Kings 20:20-21 NKJV

[20] Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah—all his might, and how he made a pool and a tunnel and brought water into the city—ffdare they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? [21] So Hezekiah rested with his fathers. Then Manasseh his son reigned in his place.

In Revelation 20:12  the Bible records , "And books were opened". The books record our deeds, and on Judgment Day, we are judged based on what's written in them about about our lives. We may not be conscious, but books are being written about our lives. No one may see you, but God's all seeing eyes  are magnetting everything to your records. Casey Lewis explains the plot and scope of our story being prepared, "...we have to understand that we are character’s in God’s story. God is the writer of the story, and we are the characters. His story starts at creation (Gen. 1:1). It ends with those in Christ living for all of eternity in a recreated world (Rev. 22). Everyone’s life on earth occurs somewhere in between those two events, and we are all apart of the overarching story of God". 

   We've come to the end of Hezekiah's life, but there are Chronicles of how he lived. Transpose that and fill in your story. What will it read? Lewis continue s, " If God is the writer of our story, the place we are at right now is by design. It is a part of God’s sovereign plan for our life". Psalm 139:13-16. You have to be conscious of how you play the part you are assigned by God. At the post mortem, you will be asked how you played. Be conscious. You wont play your part for ever. There's an entry, but there's also an exit. Theres a time for the house curtain to come down. Are you ready? Good morning.

Casual Attitude To God's Word

Casual Attitude To Gods Word 

II Kings 20:17-19 NKJV

[17] ‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the Lord. [18] ‘And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’ ” [19] So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good!” For he said, “Will there not be peace and truth at least in my days?” 

This is an excerpt from KCM blog on  How To Respond To Prophecies. " 

The purpose of a prophecy is not entertainment or to be “in the know.” A prophecy is a call to action. The prophet’s role is to deliver the word of the Lord to His people. But that’s only the beginning. The fulfillment of a prophecy requires action from those who hear the words of a prophet. Once the word is delivered, we become co-laborers with God to bring it to pass". It is expected that the recipient of a prophecy should  take spiritual action to help prophetic words come to pass or deter it. In this instance, Hezekiah  did not behave as he did when he was confronted by the Assyrians. He never prayed about the words spoken by Isaiah. That is not how to respond to a prophecy.

   Hezekiah's response to Isaiah's prophecy was selfish, as he was more concerned with his own comfort than the nation's future. God sent Isaiah to Hezekiah to test his faith and give him the chance to trust God for his future. 

God healed Hezekiah and gave him an additional 15 years to live. Isaiah also prophesied that the Assyrian army would not capture Jerusalem. God destroyed the Assyrian army, as Isaiah had prophesied. 

    However, Hezekiah did have a selfish response to Isaiah's prophecy about the fall of his sons. This shows that we can still sin if we ever become casual to God's words. Here is how someone sums it up: " One of the sins with which we commonly struggle is the temptation not to trust in the Lord but in our own talents or alliances with others. Where do you find it difficult to trust God? Ask Him to help you believe Him and act according to the promises in His Word". There's nothing to add. We only have a response to make. Good morning.

Change Of Tactics

Change Of Tactics: Hezekiah And The Babylonian Envoys 

II Kings 20:12-13, 17 NKJV

[12] At that time Berodach-Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick. [13] And Hezekiah was attentive to them, and showed them all the house of his treasures—the silver and gold, the spices and precious ointment, and all his armory—all that was found among his treasures. There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them...

[17] ‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the Lord. 

Spiritual warfare is sustained, constant, ongoing battle against evil  forces of darkness that can manifest in various ways, including through our thoughts, emotions, and actions.  It is tied to the broader struggle of the devil resisting the government of God. Even when God intervenes as in the case of Hezekiah, the enemy will find new strategies to fight. Now, Hezekiah has an additional fifteen years added to his life, so the enemy decided to act as a friend through the son of the King of Babylon. 

   The enemy is constantly looking for our vulnerabilities and patterns to get us under. Change is a war strategy. It is " the deliberate act of altering specific combat methods or approaches during a conflict to adapt to changing circumstances on the battlefield, often to gain an advantage over the enemy by exploiting their weaknesses or responding to unexpected developments". That's why you must learn how to shoot forward and backwards.

    In today's read, there's a new friend on the horizon. It's Berodach-Baladan, the son of the King of Babylon. Pause. That's the heir apparent. He's not really  Hezekiah's friend. It's an open edge. V.13 is the most tragic read of all times. Isaiah announced the end of that friendship in the prophecy of v.17.  John Heys says, " A truth we ought never to forget is that Satan will change his tactics, and even reverse them, if it serves his devilish purpose of seeking to destroy the church of Christ". That's the word for today. Dont get taken in. The devil is still the devil even if it's wearing a white dress. The word is enough for the wise. Good morning.