The Josiah Effect

Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him. - 2Ki 23:25

One neat thing about reading through the entire Bible is that you encounter people and situations that you might not encounter on a random chapter here and there.  And, one neat thing about repeating the process in successive years is that by God's grace some of his upside down nature can be seen in places you would least expect it.

Take Josiah for example. Many probably know that he was listed as one of the good kings of Judah. Some may even remember why (for restoring the Passover, refurbishing the temple, expelling and pagan worship, and the reading & following of the Law). But how many of us care to recall that most of Josiah's exemplary service to God occurred after God informed him that Judah had gone too far and that inevitable judgement was coming (even though Josiah was to be spared--by his death).

It struck me this year in reading 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles that Josiah was not daunted by God's upside down economy. He didn't question God's justice at sending judgement on the land. He didn't isolate himself or say "who cares?" in response to God not relenting even after a Josiah-led national renewal. He didn't plead 2 Chr 7:14 (more in context for him than us). He simply kept serving God by reading and obeying the Word of God.

As I look back over the events of 2013, I have to ask: have I responded like Josiah did? Clearly the circumstances and settings are different, but we live in a culture very much like his; one that remembered some of the basic forms of its religious heritage, but forgot the heart of the matter and lost connection to the true source of religion: a pure and absolution devotion to Yahweh.

So, here we are on the verge of 2014. Unless Jesus returns (come Lord Jesus!) 2014 will begin with a culture more removed from God than last year and more confident that what is being done is being done to honor him. And, even though I firmly believe that God can bring any type of revival at any time, I think the lesson from the life of Josiah is that we should fret less over the decay around us (although we shouldn't ignore it and do what we can to oppose it). Instead we should seek to live the gospel in such a way that we are known, really known, as the upside down community of God.

To God Alone Be The Glory