2 Kings 22:2 [Josiah] did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.
For the first time in a really long time, Judah has a good, godly king. Josiah came to power when he was 8 years old. He should have had a copy of The Book of the Law from the beginning. There should have been one with the king and one in the temple. Yet it seems pretty clear that he hasn’t seen it before Shaphan brings it home, and he realizes pretty immediately the magnitude of his country’s sins against God.
2 Kings 22:8 Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the LORD.” He gave it to Shaphan, who read it.
As I think through the rules, laws, and commandments, I can boil it down pretty simply to “Love God. Love others.” And yet, as I think back over the last 24 hours, I can identify several times that my attitude or my thoughts were less than loving. And I didn’t even leave the house yesterday. My point is that God’s law hasn’t been hidden from me. I actively seek Him every day, and still I fall short of His goal to love Him and love others. Jesus, Help me.
2 Kings 22:10 Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that I am to love You and love others, in my thoughts, words, and actions. Forgive me for the many, many times I fall short of that goal. Help me to keep striving. Draw me closer to You. Amen.
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…and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I also have heard you, declares the LORD.”
Have a blessed day
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.