Category: New Testament

King Josiah – Discovery

~ Sowmya Gali

2 Kings 22: 2

He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.

King Josiah was eight years old when he became king over Israel. His great grandfather was Hezekiah, who followed God and whose life was miraculously extended by fifteen years. His grandfather Manasseh, on the other hand was a devious king. He set up altars for Baal in the temple in Jerusalem. He shed innocent blood so much that it filled Jerusalem from end to end. Surprisingly, for reasons unknown, God allowed him to rule for fifty-five years. Manasseh was followed by Amon, his son, who was twenty-two years old when he became king. He too followed his father in committing grievous sins and forsook the Lord. After ruling the land for just two years, he was assassinated by his own officials, in his own palace. His murder was, however, avenged by the people of the land and eight-year-old Josiah was appointed king of the land.

We don’t know what kind of upbringing Josiah had. Even though he was preceded by evil kings, he chose to do right in the sight of the Lord. In every aspect, he followed his ancestor, David. He must have heard stories about King David. All those brave and righteous deeds of David must have inspired him to follow in his footsteps. Despite who his parents and grandparents were, Josiah chose to do what was right and adhered strongly to those values. He didn’t let the current culture of the land dictate his life. He, as a king, recognized the authority he had in influencing the people of the land. He might have witnessed the apostasy of his grandfather Manasseh and father Amon, which might have been repulsive to him. All the sins of his previous generations were so abhorrent, he just didn’t let that influence him. Such was his conviction.

In the eighteenth year of his reign, when he was twenty-six years old, he summoned his officials and charged them to repair the temple of the Lord. While the refurbishments and repairs were going on, Hilkiah, the high priest found the Book of the Law. He handed the Book to the chief official, Shaphan, who took it to King Josiah right away. In the presence of the king, Shaphan read from the Book. When King Josiah heard the words, he tore his robes. He realized God’s anger towards his fathers because of their disobedience. He realized that so many of them have not followed God’s commandments and how grievously they have sinned against the Lord. He asked his officials to inquire of the Lord.

King Josiah, who was never exposed to the Word of God all his life, instead exposed to terrible sin and apostasy, chose now to follow God wholeheartedly. His immediate reaction when he learned from the Book of the Law reveals his heart condition. He cleansed the temple and every high place in the country. He removed the idols and burnt them in the Kidron valley. He appointed Levites to resume their duties as priests in the temple. Despite leading a righteous life thus far, he felt shameful and abhorrent before the Lord for the sins of his forefathers that they caused the nation to commit.

How do we react to sin and apostasy going on around us? Are we being complacent and compromising? Or are we being guilty and shameful before the Lord, even though we did not commit those sins? Are we becoming tolerant of the apostasy that is prevalent in our culture? Are we turning a blind eye to the apostasy in our midst thinking it is not going to affect us? Or are we crying before the Lord for the sins of our nation? Are we rending our hearts before the Lord for our complacency? Where do we stand? On the side of the Lord or the side of the sin? We can neither be sailing in two boats nor standing on the fence. Let us chose this day, whose side we are on.

In exhortation:

Deuteronomy 4: 39

Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time.

Walk Alongside

~ Sowmya Gali

1 Samuel 1: 9

Elkanah her husband would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”

Life is a rough journey in many instances. We go through troubled times waiting for God to answer our prayers. While God is working out His plan, we tend to resort to despair. Instead of remaining hopeful for God’s answer, we choose to continue on the path of hopelessness. We look at outward circumstances. We look at previous experiences. We look for people who may give us sound advice. We search for any possible solution to get us out of our troubled times as soon as possible. Our eyes of faith grow dim and short sighted.

During this myopic situation, it is important we surround ourselves with godly people who would encourage us. If we are not the ones going through rough times, there are people in our lives who are in despair. This is the moment we need to step alongside our friends or family members to encourage them. As they are struggling with God’s timing in answering their prayers, we should provide those with help and support. We should lovingly encourage those with God’s word. By doing so, we are helping them to remain steadfast in their faith.

Recently, as I was going through illness, hesitantly, I reached out to family and friends for prayer support. Many in my immediate family criticized me for advertising about my illness. My argument was, “I need prayer support.” While I trusted God to heal me, I also relied on the prayer support that I knew I will undeniably receive from my godly and faithful family and friends. So, I shared with my strong prayer warriors and requested to pray alongside me for healing. I was overwhelmed by the love, support, words of encouragement from these faithful flock. Yes, God provides us the timely help, timely word of encouragement. I was so delighted that I have a faithful group of friends and family who are willing to walk alongside me when I desperately needed that extra word of encouragement. Just learning that there are people praying for me, interceding on my behalf when I was too weak to even sit up and pray, thrilled me.

Elkanah is a great example of a supportive husband to a grieving wife:  a wife who was barren and constantly taunted by the other wife. Hannah was desperate. Despite her husband’s love and support, she still was heartbroken. Elkanah constantly encouraged Hannah, he gave her extra love and special gifts to cheer her up. However, she still remained childless. In the end she looked to God and trusted Him for help. When she poured her heart out to God, she found peace. Then she returned home to Ramah with a light heart.

In our journey of faith, we will come across people who would want us to be there for them in times of need, either financially or spiritually or emotionally. How often are we able to be there for them? Are we being critical of their circumstances or are we supportive by being a good listener and assuring them with God’s Word? Are we praying with them and for them? Are we ready to give them our advice or ready to lend our shoulder for them to lean on? Sometimes just being there with the person, also gives the suffering person a sense of peace.

Let us be people of God who would walk alongside those who are struggling. Let us be His servants serving those in need of strength. Let us be beacons of hope for those who are lost and are searching for answers. Let us for a change instead of walking ahead, walk alongside our brothers and sisters who are hurting. In doing so, we are loving our neighbor as ourselves. Just what Jesus Christ commanded. In doing so, we are encouraging them to rely on God and leading them on the path to eternity. In doing so, we are setting an example of Christ’s nature and they in turn will one day walk alongside someone in need. In doing so, our Heavenly Father is being magnified, and Jesus Christ is being glorified.