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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022

TEXT: 2 Kings 22:11-20

11. When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes.

12. Then he told Hilkiah the religious leader, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Micaiah, Shaphan the writer, and Asaiah the king’s servant,

13. “Go, ask the Lord for me and all Judah about the words of this book that has been found. For the Lord is very angry with us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book. They have not done all that is written for us to do.”

14. So Hilkiah the religious leader, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan and Asaiah went to Huldah the woman who spoke for God. She was the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, and watched over the clothes of the house. (She lived in the second Part of Jerusalem.) They spoke to her.

15. She said to them, “This is what the Lord God of Israel says. Tell the man who sent you to me

16. that the Lord says, ‘See, I will bring trouble upon this place and upon its people. All the words of the book which the king of Judah has read will come true

17. because they have turned away from Me and have burned special perfume to other gods. They have made Me angry with all the work of their hands. So My anger burns against this place, and it will not be stopped.’

18. But tell the king of Judah who sent you to ask of the Lord, ‘This is what the Lord God of Israel says about the words you have heard.’

19. “You heard how I spoke against this place and against its people. I said that they should be destroyed and laid waste. They should be hated and destroyed. But when you heard this, you were sorry in your heart. You put away your pride before the Lord. You have torn your clothes and cried before Me, and I have heard you,” says the Lord.

20. “So I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the trouble which I will bring upon this place.” So they returned to the king and told him what was said.

(New Living Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: KING JOSIAH GRANTED FAVOR

In verse 8, the high priest found a copy of the Book of the Law which was read to King Josiah (v. 10). When King Josiah heard the words of the Law, he realized that his ancestors, parents and contemporaries had grossly disobeyed the Law.

He recognized the consequences that will most likely follow. So, he repented as symbolized by the tearing of his clothes. King Josiah also accepted that God’s judgment upon the entire land was justified according to the demands of the Law.

Josiah’s repentance on behalf of the people of Judah and his ancestors was genuine. Therefore, God responded by granting him the grace of deliverance from the coming invasion of the Babylonians which invariably led to the captivity of the Southern Kingdom. We must insist on living righteous lives even when everyone is turning to ungodliness. God is watching and will not forget you.

QUESTION: Do you feel that God is not seeing the righteous life you are living because of your daily life’s challenges?

PRAYER: Thank You, dear Lord, for encouraging me through today’s devotion that You know the life I live and Your grace is sufficient to carry me through, Amen.