Wept Before Me

“When the king heard the words of the law, he tore his clothes.”                         

~2 Chronicles 34:19 HCSB

Josiah became king at the age of eight.  From the start he didn’t want to be like the two kings before him.  He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.  He cleansed the land of idol worship and in his eighteenth year he begun to repair the temple of the Lord.  As the workman was cleaning they discovered the book of the law of the Lord, written by the hand of Moses.  It had been a long time since the law had been read or followed.  Shephan took the book and read it in the presence of the king.  As Josiah heard the words of the Lord he tore his clothes in shame and humility.  He was heartbroken to how far they had gotten away from the Lord.  He then had the Law read aloud to all the people of Judah, both great and small.  Next Josiah made a covenant in the presence of the Lord to follow Lord and keep his decrees. 

What moves me about this story is the reaction of Josiah as he heard the word of God.  It broke him and he humbled himself.  He was dropped to his knees by the weight of the sin of himself and the people.  He feared the wrath of the Lord being poured out on them because of the generations of neglect.  Reading this brings me to a question, do I read the word of God and feel the same way and if not why?  God hasn’t changed and although we are now under grace instead of the law does that free us to do what we want? Can we live our lives ignoring the word and what it says?  I think not.  Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:1 “Therefore I, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received.”  The word of God is a precious gift from God.  It has stood the test of time and is to be treasured in our life.  Not as a trophy sitting on the shelf to be admired but to be read and followed.  Not to be carried into the church on Sunday morning as a badge of authenticity, but as something you cling to because in it you can know Christ in all of His fullness and glory.  

Oh how I wish we in the church would tear our clothes and humble our hearts before the Lord and treasure the Word of the God.  Today I want to encourage you to be like Josiah.  He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and did not turn aside to the right or the left.  He honored the Word all of his life and in humbling himself before the Lord, God heard him and honored him with peace. Honor the Word of the Lord in your life.  Read it, treasure it, and share it with others.  Think on its meanings, let it soak down to the deepest parts of your heart and let it change you.  

Lord help us to treasure Your Word in our hearts.  Let it be more than just a book we own, but let it be a treasure in our lives.  Convicts us, humble us, move us to greater commitment to you!  In doing so my Christ be glorified in everything we say and do!  Amen