April 21, 2020: Day 80 – II Kings 22

Just when we thought all was lost along comes King Josiah.  He was only 8 years old when he began to rule over Judah.  He had a fairly long reign, 31 years, and he did what was right in the style of David, so really completely right and turned the people back to the Lord.  He has the priests empty out the coffers so that the workers who were rebuilding the temple and putting things back in order the way they were supposed to be, could be paid.  As they  were emptying out the coffers they found something important, even nation changing.

As they were cleaning up the temple they found the book of the law.  When it was read to Josiah he cried aloud and tore his clothes in mourning because he recognized  that the people of God had turned their back on the Lord and as a result the Lord was plotting evil against the people of God.  But because of Josiah’s faithfulness God saves him and his rule and his people from chaos.  He will be able to finish out his rule in peace as he follows God.  

The result of faithfulness to the Lord, at least in II Kings, is longevity of life, longevity of nation building, longevity of faithfulness from the Lord.  We can’t draw a straight line between our actions and those of the Lord, especially when we are told that we are blessed when we are persecuted.  A follower of Jesus Christ is not promised an easy and abundant and safe life.  A follower of Jesus is promised that they will be shown the path forward and if they follow it then they will be provided with the assurance of a life well lived.  That should be enough.