August 1 - 2 Kings 23:1-20 | 2 Chronicles 34:29-33 | 2 Kings 23:21-28 | 2 Chronicles 35:1-19 | Nahum 1:1-3:19

Good morning everyone,

This morning we begin with Josiah, king of Judah, who you will remember from yesterday, was quite excited over a copy of the Bible being found in the temple during some restoration. However, his excitement was short lived when after the Law of Moses was read to him he learned, much to his dismay, they were doing things all wrong and their future was not looking good. Josiah, the good king that he was, making sure he was reading this right, sought insight to the Word of the prophetess Huldah, having it’s meaning firmly established. It was after she confirmed the hard truths that Josiah was more determined than ever to see the nation do what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Today we pick up with Josiah aggressively eliminating all the idolatrous priests that were in the land, and desecrating all alters, poles, rooms, idols, anything and everything that was being or could be used in the worship of false gods. 

Then Josiah, having cleaned up the land, gave an order for all of the people to “Celebrate the Passover to the Lord your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.” He appointed the priests to their duties and encouraged them in the service of the Lord’s temple. He, himself provided thirty thousand lambs and goats for the Passover offerings, for all the lay people who were there. His officials also contributed voluntarily, and while the musicians were in the places prescribed by David the sacrifices took place. 

We’re told, “The Passover had not been observed like this in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel; and none of the kings of Israel had ever celebrated such a Passover as did Josiah, with the priests, the Levites and all Judah and Israel who were there with the people of Jerusalem.” 

Josiah is a crazy great example of how we, as Christians, should be living our life in a world that seems; actually more than seems, has in fact, fallen way off the “straight and narrow” pathway. Alexander Tytler, judge, writer and historian who served as Professor of Universal History, is quoted as saying, “The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith; From spiritual faith to great courage; From courage to liberty; From liberty to abundance; From abundance to selfishness; From selfishness to complacency; From complacency to apathy; From apathy to dependence; From dependence back into bondage.” Where do you see our great nation on this scale? It is not rocket science that we are in for some big changes, I would not presume to say what or when only that we are on borrowed time and we need to be, like Josiah, fervently leading people to Jesus. We may not have the ability to order someone to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord, but we ourselves can open up our Bibles each and every day, learn more about God and seek His council, then move forward in God’s wisdom, will and strength, helping others find their way to the cross. Right on?

We read in John 21 that after a night of unproductive fishing Jesus told the disciples, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. May I suggest we all be throwing our nets over the “right” side. Do some fishing for Jesus. Amen?

Have a good day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …..