Tender and Humbled

II Chron. 34:27

"Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and its inhabitants, and you have humbled yourself before Me and have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you, declares the Lord."

Evil was rampant on the scene so much so that God's harsh judgment was their future. Disaster would certainly come upon the nation. But Josiah reigned as a child of eight, and even at that time he began to seek the Lord. By the twelfth year of his reign, he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, and the carved and metal images. But in the 18th year of his reign when he was cleansing and restoring the temple, the Book of the Law was found. As Josiah listened to these words, he tore his clothes and sent men to inquire of the Lord because he knew that the great wrath of God would be poured out without measure. How powerful are God's words!

What was God's answer? Because Josiah's heart was tender, and he had humbled himself before God, God had heard his pleas. He would be gathered to his fathers in peace. He would not have to witness the coming judgment. But for Judah, they had forsaken God and made offering to false gods. They had provoked God to anger, therefore His wrath would not be quenched. 

God looked at Josiah's heart. Even though Josiah was a king of this evil nation, his heart was sincere and true. He responded honestly to the word of the Law. But sadly, it wasn't enough to save the nation. But while he lived, he destroyed the evil and idolatrous worship practices of the people. He commanded the people to keep the Passover, a Passover like had been kept in the days of Samuel.  

Father,

Thank You for Your mercy and grace. Help me my heart sincere and humble before You.

In Jesus name,

Amen