“When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. [He] commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam.., and Achbor.., and Shaphan.., and Asaiah.., saying, ‘Go, inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written…’
“Then the king sent, and all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem were gathered to him. [He] went up to the house of the Lord, and with him the men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and the priests and prophets, all the people, both small and great. 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. The king stood and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord and to keep his commandments and testimonies and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people joined in the covenant.
“The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest… to bring out of the temple of the Lord all the vessels made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. And he deposed the priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to make offerings in the high places..; those also who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon and constellations… And he brought out the Asherah from the house of the Lord, outside Jerusalem,.. and burned it… and beat it to dust… And he broke down the houses of the male cult prostitutes.., where the women wove hangings for the Asherah.” 2 Kings 22:11-13; 23:1-7
It was the Book of the Law that gripped and shook King Josiah. Not only was it good, but it was the word of the unchanging, covenant-keeping God. Its tenets struck deep, with conviction, and begged a mutual commitment. Josiah’s humble confession and public covenant compelled its keeping. (Hebrews 4:12)
The reason we remain stagnant spiritually and otherwise is that we never move off complacency. A wish or want might flit by, but until we’ve committed we’ll likely not make any significant changes. Intuition might nudge that something needs be done, but flesh says I’m fine as I am, and have always been.
A covenant with the immutable, gracious God sets us in the right direction and inspires growth and obedience. It carries us through challenging and changing seasons by securing heart devotion. We struggle with weaknesses of our flesh, but the tether to an unchanging God secures His standard and intercession. As we put away destructive practices, we gradually replace them with good. Every bit of keeping fosters more and stronger keeping. (2 Kings 23:21-25; Romans 8:31-34)
What niggling habits and strange gods do we tolerate? Have we discerned godless inclinations, and boldly removed the high places of ego and greed we fondle with selfish affection? When we covenant to obey, the Lord gives grace and wisdom and help. (2 Kings 23:10-16; Hebrews 4:16)
Father, in gratitude for Your steadfast love and grace, fix my commitment and obedience to You, and for Your glory.
As the rain and snow 