2 Kings – Chapter 22

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. 2 Kings 22:1 – It took more than 300 years for this verse to come about, but King Josiah was finally on the throne of Judah. While it was a way back in our studies, in 1 Kings 12 we see the creation of King Jeroboam’s golden calves, the decision that began a serious decline in Israel’s faithfulness to God and caused idolatry to be an ongoing practice there for centuries. Yet in 1 Kings 13:2, we see a prophet speak to Jeroboam a message of judgement. That God would raise up a king named Josiah, and he would end such idolatry in the land. Now for those who heard this prophecy, likely they thought this prophet was crazy, especially after there was no immediate fulfillment. This prophecy wasn’t fulfilled until more than three centuries later, but the truth remains, God fulfilled His word. As we then see God’s promises to us in scripture, let us not find discouragement because the fulfillment isn’t immediate. While my prayer is that we don’t have to wait 300 years to see God’s promises unfold, we must acknowledge that God’s timing is often far different than our own. Know He can lead you by still waters, but He may be wanting you beside rough waters for a little longer. Know He makes all things work together for good, but He may still be shaping the ingredients for that good for a while longer. With the fulfillment of the prophecy around Josiah, we are reminded God never fails on His word. Let’s remember this wonderful truth today as we may still be in our waiting period for fulfillment to come. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3088

When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. 2 Kings 22:11 – Hearing God’s Word should lead us into action. Possibly that action is falling on your knees in a sincere apology to God because you realize how far your life has strayed from His ways. Possibly that action is cry of thankfulness because you are reminded that God is inside your story with you. Possibly that action is to share God’s love with someone else. Whatever the action, there should be a reaction from us to the direction we get from God’s Word. Allow God’s Word to be active in leading you and changing you. How do you begin that? By reading His Word. Give God time to direct you through His Word and see how He leads you. Remember us hearing God’s Word should lead us into action somehow, so what is God leading you to do today? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 393

When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. 2 Kings 22:11 – Hearing God’s Word should lead us into action. Possibly the action is repentance for a sin we’ve committed. Possibly the action is to begin sharing God’s love with someone we’ve held off doing that with. Or maybe it’s simply to stop worrying because God says to stop worrying. Whatever the direction may be, realize the scriptures are giving us directions to be followed. Not just life lessons to be learned and stored away, but directions to be practiced out daily within our life. What then has scripture been impressing upon you to do that you’ve categorized as simply a good life lesson to remember or simply a message for someone else? Listen and obey what God teaches through scripture. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1045

But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, thus shall you say to him, Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard, because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the Lord, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the Lord. 2 Kings 22:18-19 – Josiah was a king that sought to follow the ways of the Lord. When the book of the law was discovered and the words of it read before him, his heart filled with anguish for what was to come upon them for all the ways the people before him had lived unfaithfully. What God looked at with pleasure was the way Josiah responded to the words of the law being told to him. How we respond to the words of the Lord matters as well. When we’re walking one way then we find in scripture we should be going another, how we respond matters to God. When we’re feeling/thinking one way then we see scripture telling us to feel/think differently, how we respond to hearing God’s direction matters to God. He is honored and pleased when we listen to His words and change our course how He directs. He is not pleased with those who hear His word and refuses to change their steps to be in line with the new directions they were given. So as we move forward this year, and God reveals the proper ways we are to be walking after Him, make whatever changes His Word directs you to make. God is honored when those who say they follow Him actually do. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2228