Author: astherainandsnow

“No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.” Matthew 9:16-17

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Jesus was practical in His teaching, giving everyday illustrations to elucidate His deeper lessons. Having demonstrated his ability to transform and heal, and calling worldly men to His spiritual mission, He described to them what needed to take place in order for them to participate in His life-giving ministry. Only as new creatures, new wineskins, could they be filled with faith to take on their new calling and produce the sweet wine of transformative influence. (Matthew 9:2-9)

Our spiritual life cannot flourish as an add-on to pre-Christ practices and sensibilities. Enemies and beggars all, we need the redeeming blood of Christ applied in full to be declared righteous, to be made ‘new.’ When Jesus saves us, we become new creatures able to think and desire and behave with a whole new system of life and energy. Our references and resources are now from above and compel new direction. Attempting to ‘do better’ and ‘be different’ without exchanging the old life is a fruitless endeavor. (Romans 5:6-11)

Where do we find ourselves spinning wheels in ineffective activity? Do we live days frustrated at our unfinished business or lack of smeaningful productivity, while never pausing to ask the Lord’s direction and inspiration? Have we grown accustomed to working increasingly harder in the flesh, when we really need to lay down that flesh and take up God’s Spirit? Maintaining a humble posture before the Lord to receive new daily mercies supplies for, motivates, and enables fruitful ministry. Will we yield? (Lamentations 3:22-23; Romans 8:9-11)

“In the crushing, in the pressing
You are making new wine
In the soil I, now surrender
You are breaking new ground

So I yield to You and to Your careful hand
When I trust You, I don’t need to understand

Make me Your vessel, make me an offering
Make me whatever You want me to be
I came here with nothing but all You have given me
Jesus, bring new wine out of me

In the crushing, in the pressing
You are making new wine
In the soil I, now surrender
You are breaking new ground

Make me Your vessel, make me an offering
Make me whatever You want me to be
I came here with nothing but all You have given me
Jesus, bring new wine out of me

‘Cause where there is new wine
There is new power
There is new freedom
To serve You here
I lay down my old flames
To carry Your new fire today

Make me Your vessel, make me an offering
Make me whatever You want me to be
God, I came here with nothing but all You have given me
Jesus, bring new wine out of me.” ~Hillsong (2018)

Father, keep me repentant and fresh, a worthy vessel for Your filling and using, to Your gracious ends.

“Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest… for letters to the synagogues, so that if he found any belonging to the Way.., he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.  As he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ He said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Rise and enter the city, and you will be told what to do…’

“Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias,.. Rise and… at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying,  and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.’ Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.’  But the Lord said, ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.'” Acts 9:1-6,10-16

Ananias was stunned at the Lord’s command. ‘That Saul? The one bent on destroying Your people?’ The Lord explained that yes, he was the one in His sights to be a unique instrument. He knew all about him and what he’d done, and would use him mightily to influence people far and wide with the gospel that drastically saved him. Paul’s first-hand experience of God’s pursuing, potent grace empowered his message. His very transformation wrought wonder and amazement among otherwise complacent people, elucidating God’s intent and power to save. It fueled desire to know this same God who could deliver and remake. Paul’s passion for destruction turned to an equal zeal for good. (Acts 9:20-22, 28,31)

We, too, might be curious at some God chooses to minister for Him. We observe behavior and criticize in our hearts. Knowing past transgressions, character flaws, or personality quirks, we discount possibilities. We neglect grace that redeems. Beware smugness in thinking we’re more deserving or appropriate or qualified than another! Beware questioning God’s chosen instruments lest we diminish His grace and glory! He will always do what He knows is best, and work in ways that bring Him glory, including saving and using the most rotten and wicked of sinners.

To correct thinking and attitude, behold the Lord God himself, who looked on the masses with unquenchable love and came to the earth to save. A humble look at God and an honest look at ourselves guards us from casting aspersions on anyone else. God chooses with full knowledge and righteous intention. Who am I to disqualify another? Who am I to know better how He might develop or use someone? (Deuteronomy 7:7-8; 2 Samuel 7:18-24; John 15:16; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:8–9)

When I’m tempted to question God’s choices, would I bow and thank Him for choosing me? Would I submit myself as a unique instrument in the Master’s hands? How will I seize His call to do my gospel part?

Lord, have Your full way with me and all your chosen to do You will, to Your glory alone.

“‘You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you… who received the law… and did not keep it.’

“When they heard these things they were enraged, and ground their teeth at him. But [Stephen], full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. The witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep.

“And Saul approved of his execution.

“There arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles… Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

“Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.” Acts 7:51,53-8:1,3-4

Stephen gave bold and thorough voice to the gospel, and guilty crowds hated the pointed, biting conviction, so they stoned him. Little did they know that killing the truth-teller does not eliminate the truth. The following persecution of believers served to spread the gospel far and wide, increasing rather than squelching its impact. Eyes opened, the possessed were freed, debilitations were healed, joy abounded. The ravaged church ignited to a changed, charged church that could not be stopped. (Acts 8:5-13)

Many a ‘truth’ is promoted today by individuals and through the media. Crowds are drawn and swayed to prophesies, superficial soundbites, feel-good promises, and flashy deeds. Lives might even be changed in cursory but real ways. (2 Timothy 4:1-3)

Yet when the gospel is proclaimed, the power of the Lord is unleashed. Genuine condemnation penetrates the heart, and we must respond, either by rejecting or receiving. Those convicted in spirit might turn to persecute the messenger, which in turn invites condemnation. Those who humbly let truth’s conviction have its way will proliferate the good hope it ensures. Which is it for me? (Hebrews 4:12)

Am I even exposing myself to hard truths, or do I resist the refining fire of God’s beautiful word? Have I experience of being persecuted for my commitment to obedience and bold proclamation of God’s word? If so, how has it served either to quench or to spread the flames of good news? (Matthew 5:11-12; Romans 12:14; 2 Timothy 3:12; 4:2)

How has God’s word changed me- in outlook, desires, language, attitude, character, industry? What has it burned away, what new passion has it stoked? Where has the Lord ignited His gospel through me to bring life change in my home, workplace, neighborhood? If we are faithful to the proclamation, heard or expressed, the Spirit of God will see to its proliferation in His way, place, and time. (2 Timothy 3:16)

Lord, may I faithfully receive and proclaim your gospel, and so proliferate its beauties and power, to your glory.

“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

“And now, O priests, this command is for you. If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart. Behold, I will rebuke your offspring, and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and you shall be taken away with it. So shall you know that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may stand, says the Lord of hosts. My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him. It was a covenant of fear, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name. True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. But you have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts, and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but show partiality in your instruction…

“So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.” Malachi 2:1-9,16b

The Lord takes seriously the condition and behavior of His priests. Having become the great High Priest to make His people righteous and holy, He expects that His holiness be upheld in daily relationships, work, and ministry. While He offers generous blessing to the faithful, His words are sharp and stern against the corrupt. His all-seeing eye discerns darkness and sincerity of motive, and holds accountable both spirit and behavior. (Malachi 2:10-15; 3:18-4:4)

It is a high calling to be God’s holy children and priests. We are His possession and we bear His royal name. From countenance to words spoken, reactions to intentional behavior, we are to exude His excellencies and light. To assess the purity of our priesthood, it is prudent to ask those close to us what they see, and how well we exemplify the Lord Jesus in priestly office.

Are we intentional about standing in awe of Jesus’s name in private worship? How does it tame our impulses and shape our hearts? Are we taking care to guard our spirits from the pollution of the world’s filth and greed? Are there habits or social situations we need to avoid? What distinguishes us in our communities as the Lord’s chosen and holy people, or do we look and behave like everyone else?

As for ministry as His priests, how seriously do we take our role? How and when do we stand in the gap for others, intercede in prayer, and instruct from His word through teaching and example? How can our lifestyles repel corruption and promote peace?

Lord, guard my heart and keep me vigilant to bear Your royal name and serve Your priestly purposes with the honor You deserve.

“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You care for him?
Yet You have made him a little lower than the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor.” Psalm 8:3-5

“The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
   which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.” Psalm 19:1-6

“Behold, I go forward, but he is not there,
    and backward, but I do not perceive him;
on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him;
    he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.
But he knows the way that I take;
    when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold…
He is unchangeable…
    What he desires, that he does.
He will complete what he appoints for me,
    and many such things are in his mind.” Job 23:8-10,13-14

Air dark and quiet
Dew drips from eaves
Stillness before dawn
No breath of a breeze

A single bird calls out
Poking silence with song
Early she’s risen
To spread praise along

Announcing that day
Is tiptoeing in
Light bringing light, 
Ushered forth by the King

Mild comes the morning
Soft, like a wash. 
Blushing horizon
Shrugging night off

But what of the heart
Weighed heavy with cares?
Trembling and tortured
Tangled in tares?

Terrors loom heavy 
Unknowns threaten peace
Lives in the balance
Relational unease

Uncertain future
Regrettable past
Yearnings that gnaw
How long will these last?

Roiling emotions
Throttle and sway
Fears haunt night hours
Cares rule the day

Mild comes the morning?
Can it be true?
That the Lord of the orbits
Knows all of this too?

How could His tending
To planets and space,
History unfolding
The world with its pace

Take account for me?
Know longing and fears?
How do my moments
Fit into His years?

Yet mild comes the morning
Day after day
Reflecting His constancy
In faithful array

No matter our sorrow
Or turmoil of soul
Pressures abounding
Hearts growing cold

The God of the morning
Carries the day
Upholding His children
Along all their way

With every dawning
No matter the plight
He reminds of His presence
Through the hours, the night

His glory abounds
His arm rules His feats
His good plans unfold
As He constantly repeats

‘Mild comes the morning,
Beloved of mine
I know every crevice
And into them shine

Fresh hope in the darkness
New mercies to hold
Strength for each hour
Love that never grows cold

So awaken each gift day
With soul renewed
Mild comes the morning
That will carry you through.’

Loving Father, help me carry Your rule of the morning into moments and hours that shine for You.

“Joseph said to them, ‘Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.'” Genesis 50:19-20

“But Amaziah would not listen, for it was of God, in order that he might give them into the hand of their enemies, because they had sought the gods of Edom. So Joash king of Israel went up, and he and Amaziah king of Judah faced one another in battle… And Judah was defeated by Israel, and every man fled to his home. And Joash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah.., and broke down the wall of Jerusalem… And he seized all the gold and silver, and all the vessels… in the house of God… He seized also the treasuries of the king’s house, also hostages, and he returned to Samaria.” 2 Chronicles 25:20-24

“Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha… So the sisters sent to him, saying, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.^‘ But when Jesus heard it he said, ‘This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.'” John 11:1-4

“My thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

Throughout scripture and history, man deems what’s ‘best’ and pushes with intention, and God overrides according to His superior will. The flaws and limitations of the flesh are exposed as the Lord works out His will to prove His higher and longer-viewed purposes. While man might work for good, the Lord knows what is best. Indeed, he makes his plans, but the Lord determines his steps. The mysteries of His sovereignty encompassing human determination show forth the wonders of His omniscience, goodness, and power. (Proverbs 16:9)

It is always a challenge to align my ways with the Lord’s because they do not necessarily or naturally mesh. Man is wont to competitiveness, greed, selfish motivation, while the Lord owns the big picture and His goal is our sanctification. We can keep pressing ahead, attempting to win His favor, or we can relinquish our plans to Him and trust His word and the Spirit’s leading.

Am I willing to accede that God’s ways are best, and seek them over my own? Where has He clearly directed a detour, appointed a hardship, or graciously overridden my plans, for ultimate good? When my program is frustrated, do I resist or resent, or welcome His interference as instructive, protective, and divine? How can I know His word better in order to more closely align my thinking and doing with His?

“Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth;
shelters you under his wings, and so gently sustaineth!
Have you not seen all that is needful has been
granted in what He ordaineth?” ~Joachim Neander (1680)

Lord, illumine my thinking and desire to embrace Your high purposes, long for Your best, and live for Your honor.

“[Hezekiah] set combat commanders over the people and gathered them together… and spoke encouragingly to them, saying, ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.’ And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

“After this, Sennacherib king of Assyria,.. sent… to Hezekiah and the people in Jerusalem, saying,.. ‘On what are you trusting, that you endure the siege? Is not Hezekiah misleading you, that he may give you over to die.., when he tells you, “The Lord our God will deliver us from the king of Assyria”? Has not this same Hezekiah taken away his high places and altars..? Do you not know what I… have done to the peoples of other lands? Were the gods of the nations of those lands at all able to deliver? Who among all the gods… was able to deliver his people, that your God should be able to deliver you from my hand? Do not let Hezekiah deceive or mislead you.., and do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand… How much less will your God deliver you out of my hand!’

“His servants said still more against the Lord and Hezekiah. He wrote letters to cast contempt on the Lord,.. saying, ‘Like the gods of the nations of the lands who have not delivered their people from my hands, so the God of Hezekiah will not deliver his people from my hand.’ They spoke of the God of Jerusalem as they spoke of the gods of the peoples of the earth, which are the work of men’s hands.

“Then Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet prayed because of this and cried to heaven. And the Lord sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty warriors, commanders, and officers in the camp of the king of Assyria… The Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from Sennacherib king of Assyria and from the hand of all his enemies, and he provided for them on every side.” 2 Chronicles 32:6-17,19-21a,22

Sennacherib of Assyria had reason to boast about power and military success, but he underestimated the might of God. His life and rule were littered with gods of flesh, and earthly successes blinded him from recognizing the distinctiveness of the God with a capital G. The Lord would humble him by proving His supremacy through the impossible comparison and King Hezekiah’s victory.

In a happy-go-lucky life peppered with activity, it’s natural not to consider who God is or what interested He has in what I do. In a busy or successful life packed with pressures and performance, it’s easy to drive independently and get entrapped by self-importance. Yet, in any life filled with worries and battles and all-important pursuits, God is very much involved. Looking to little-g gods precludes our grasping His sovereignty and constant divine work.

Have I confused or diminished God to god-status? As relevant only when needed, a good luck charm, another angel? How will I exalt Him as supreme by bold words and confident action?

Lord, may I always take Your power and plans seriously, to Your praise.

“The people of Israel who were present at Jerusalem kept the Feast… with great gladness, and the Levites and priests praised the Lord day by day, singing with all their might to the Lord. And Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who showed good skill in the service of the Lord…

“Then the priests and Levites arose and blessed the people, and their voice was heard, and their prayer came to his holy habitation in heaven.

“When all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah and broke in pieces the pillars and cut down the Asherim and broke down the high places and the altars throughout all Judah and Benjamin, and in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the people of Israel returned to their cities, every man to his possession.

“And Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and of the Levites,.. each according to his service,.. for burnt offerings and peace offerings, to minister in the gates of the camp of the Lord and to give thanks and praise. The contribution of the king from his own possessions was for..: the burnt offerings of morning and evening, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths, the new moons, and the appointed feasts… And he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion due to the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the Law of the Lord. As soon as the command was spread abroad, the people of Israel gave in abundance the firstfruits of grain, wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field. And they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything.” 2 Chronicles 30:21-22a,27; 31:1-5

Judah had been infected by a divided heart, but under Hezekiah’s godly reign they returned to the Lord and turned their ways. Breaking down idol altars, they freed themselves to offer up thanks and praise and give in abundance. Hezekiah’s leadership and encouragement infected them with gratitude to God and a new perspective that resulted in joyful generosity across the land.

Preoccupation with self and stuff stymies unsullied worship, gratitude, and generosity. At the beckoning of the devil, many societies promote such obsession and idolatry. The contagion takes hold and blinds to higher worship and more meaningful life. The way out of a divided heart is first to remove those false gods that captivate attention and affection. Redirecting allegiances by acknowledging God as Lord opens our eyes to those foreign lovers we have befriended, and gives us courage to get rid of them once for all. (Psalm 86:11)

Rejoicing in the Lord God as faithful, merciful Redeemer brings changes of mindset and priority. Energies formerly given to meaningless pursuits are spent lifting heart and voice to exalt the heavenly King. Purity and praise work holy passion into the soul. New healthy habits are developed, and hands are opened to give.

Where and how have we been taken captive by idols? Do we regularly prioritize our wants, selves, families, work or recreation to the point they crowd minds and schedules, leaving no space for worship, service, fellowship? How would our attitudes and desires change if earnest prayer was given to singing thanksgiving and praise, naming and breaking sin, and offering up all we’ve been entrusted with to God?

Father, help me set and keep godly priorities that exalt You and minister to others.

“Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

“And he taught them, saying:

“’Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“’Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

“’Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

“’Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

“’Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

“’Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

“’Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

“’Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“’Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven…

“’You are the salt of the earth…

“’You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.'” Matthew 5:1-16

Once Jesus began His public ministry, He trekked by land and shore preaching, calling, and healing. Up and down, in and through and out, He proclaimed the gospel to individuals and crowds. He also made it a priority to get time alone with His chosen disciples, drawing them up the mountain and sitting down with them to impart blessed truths that would guide and fortify. They were nascent followers, and He knew all that would come to pass. (Matthew 4:17-25)

Such is the work of the Lord in all His disciples’ lives. Attending our daily way, He abides as companion, example, and teacher, and blesses us richly and particularly when we go up from the crowd to sit down with Him. Here, in His presence away from the world’s noise, we can listen to His voice. Here, at His feet, we can receive His anointing and instruction. Here, from His attention, we are strengthened by understanding and blessed comfort. He knows our proclivities and the way we will take, and is faithful to train, sustain, exhort, and encourage as we guard communion with Him. (Job 23:10; Luke 21:14-15)

From what do we need ‘go up’ to keep time with the Lord? What do we glean from conversing together, and how might we record and repeat it? What blessing from God have we passed along to another?

“Lord, speak to me that I may speak
In living echoes of your tone;
As you have so’t, so let me seek
Your erring children, lost and lone.

Oh, lead me, Lord, that I may lead
The wand’ring and the wav’ring feet;
Oh, feed me, Lord, that I may feed
Your hung’ring ones with manna sweet.

Oh, teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious things that you impart,
And wing my words, that I may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.

Oh, use me, Lord, use even me
Just as you will, and when, and where,
Until your blessèd face I see,
Your rest, your joy, your glory share.” ~Frances Ridley Havergal (1872)

Amen.

“Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. In the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet a boy, he began to seek the God of David…

“Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord… When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes…

“Huldah the prophetess said, ‘Thus says the Lord,.. Because they have forsaken me and made offerings to other gods,.. my wrath will be poured out on this place… Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words… and have torn your clothes and wept, I have heard you… I will gather you to your fathers… in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring…’

“Then the king gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. [He] went up to the house of the Lord, with all the men of Judah and Jerusalem and the priests and Levites, all the people both great and small. 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… to walk after the Lord and keep his commandments and testimonies and statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant… And Josiah took away all the abominations from all the territory that belonged to the people of Israel and made all who were present in Israel serve the Lord their God. All his days they did not turn away from following the Lord, the God of their fathers.

“Josiah kept a Passover to the Lord in Jerusalem… He appointed the priests to their offices and encouraged them in the service of the house of the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 34:1-3a,14,19-21,25,27-31,33; 35:1-2

After over half a century of abominable leadership, where idolatry and rebellion were the rule save for a few of Manasseh’s final years, young Josiah was enthroned in Judah. By God’s grace, by no immediate example or spiritual vitality in the land, he sought the Lord, and by conscience did what was right in His eyes. When the Book of the Law was found and read, he tore his clothes as its truth rent his heart, and was compelled to drastic reforms that reestablished worship that honored God. (2 Chronicles 33:1-6,9-13,20-22; 35:2-18)

It is a common grace from our Creator to be led by noble passion and a sharp conscience. Aligning these with God’s powerful word pierces with conviction and drives home real change. How committed are we to prioritizing the Bible as our supreme standard for life, allowing it to regularly penetrate a humble, seeking heart to deep conviction?

What ‘books’ compete to direct everyday instruction in managing relationships, handling family and work issues? Do we rely on self-direction, or so expose ourselves to God’s word that we’ve torn our clothes of self-righteousness and pride? What changes can it begin to effect today?

Lord, may I grieve what grieves You, cherish what You cherish, and build Your kingdom to Your glory.