Scripture:
2 Chronicles 34:29-33 ESV
[29] Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. [30] And the king went up to the house of the Lord, with all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the priests and the Levites, all the people both great and small. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the Lord. [31] And the king stood in his place and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after 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 the covenant that were written in this book. [32] Then he made all who were present in Jerusalem and in Benjamin join in it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. [33] And Josiah took away all the abominations from all the territory that belonged to the people of Israel and made all who were present in Israel serve the Lord their God. All his days, they did not turn away from following the Lord, the God of their fathers.
Observation:
The king had found the living word of GOD hidden and decided to gather all his people and read it in the temple so that all could hear. Reading it brought about a desire to change the way they were living. Standing there in the temple, Josiah knew that something needed to change. So he made a promise to himself to all the people and, most of all, to GOD, that from this day forward, he would follow the book. But he knew that he would not be able to do it alone, so he insisted all those who were in the kingdom as well. His first action in this promise was to eliminate all the stuff that could creep in and send the whole thing down in flames once again. All the altars of gods that were not really gods at all were destroyed and crushed into dust and cast out. They couldn’t stay. It was the beginning of a changed life. The beginning of freedom.
Application:
I remember when I found the bible. I was in a jail cell. I was desperate. My life was destroyed once again, and all because I didn’t know any better. I didn’t even really know how to read. But I felt it deep inside of me that the answers I needed had something to do with reading this book. So, I started a 30-year journey that has absolutely changed everything in my life. I stumbled through reading it, asking those around me to help with the big words. I honestly didn’t even know how to read. But I knew I had to try. I would like to say that from the day I picked up the bible, I never did anything wrong again, but we’ll that’s just not the truth. It’s been a lot of years and a lot of bad choices to get to where I’m at… and really to tell the truth, I still haven’t arrived, and I hope I never do. My life continues to change daily, and it’s because I continue to read daily. The Bible is GOD’S living word. In the book of John, it starts out by saying that Jesus is the word of GOD. Well, I believe that because the more I read the bible the more my life changed. Now it’s like I just can’t get enough. Let me remind you that when I picked up this book, I didn’t even know how to read. The Holy Spirit taught me by increasing my desire to find out more about GOD. So let me tell you where my life is as a result of stumbling across a book that was put together over 2000 years ago. This book is my lifeline. I know it’s going to sound a little crazy to those who may not understand, but this book makes my decisions for me. It guides my thoughts and answers my questions, which gives me healthy boundaries and determines the course of my life. I have been transformed, made new, redeemed, and restored, and guess what? These are all promises that came from the book. I am a new creation in Christ Jesus, and I found HIM in the pages of the Bible. I know this might sound cliche, but I live a life I never thought I could have, and it started by reading GOD’S living word that HE wrote on my heart. Oh, I still have days when I wonder or that things don’t go my way. But HE has never left me and always brings me through. I have not been conformed to the world I have been transformed by the word. Thank you, Jesus.
Prayer:
Father, your living word has the ability to change lives. I know because it has changed mine… and all I can say is thank you. I still look back sometimes and wonder how all this happened. Then, in a few short words from your book, I am reminded who you are and told to lean not on my understanding but to acknowledge you in my way and the path I walk will be straight. It works. You are so amazing. The old me is dead. You have made me a new man, and I will forever be grateful for that. May your word continue to change me and all those who will talk the time to read. In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray amen.