Passage Read: 2 Kings 20-23
Meditation Verse: 23:25
Thought
With this statement, Scripture makes Josiah an example of what it means to love the Lord with all my heart, all my soul and all my strength. Josiah heard the words of the Law and was distraught, because he knew all Israel was in trouble. He sent messengers to ask the Lord for confirmation and perhaps direction on what to do to make things right. He heard back that the Lord was indeed angry and ready to overthrow the land, but just because of his tenderness and humility towards the Lord, he and the land would be spared through his lifetime. But Josiah didn't stop there. He led the people into a covenant to serve the Lord, then did as he promised and took it on himself to cleanse the temple and the land of all that provoked the Lord to wrath. He didn't just feel bad for the Lord, and he didn't just promise to serve Him alone, but he also put his word into action and zealously did all that was necessary to correct every wrong in the land. That's what it means to love the Lord with all my heart and soul and might.
Application
I need to know the Lord and what He requires of His people. I need to commit myself to doing all He requires, and I need to do it with all zeal. It's not enough to be grieved over the sins in my life and in the lives of those around me. It's not enough to promise to make changes and do better. I need to follow through on the brokenness and the promises and do all I can to cleanse my life and the lives of those around me of the things the Lord hates. I should be so zealous that I even go beyond my own personal realm and the people I have legitimate authority over. I need to be zealously involved in evangelism and missions, just as I need to be zealously conforming my life to the likeness of Christ as taught in Scripture.