Prayer: Father, it is always a wise decision to turn to You. Thank You for the example of Josiah, who turned his whole heart to You. Amen.
Reading: 2 Kings 23 key: vs.24-25 “Moreover, Josiah got rid of the necromancers and the mediums, the teraphim and the idols, and all the detestable things that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem—in order to confirm the words of the Torah that were written in the scroll that Hilkiah the kohen found in the House of Adonai. Before him there had never been a king like him, who turned to Adonai with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Torah of Moses, nor has any king like him risen since him.” TLV
Attention: The most iconic spiritual leader of Christians during my lifetime is Billy Graham. He was known for his Evangelistic Crusades which drew thousands. He preached a simple sermon of every man’s need to be born again. The gospel message and conviction of the Holy spirit combined to change the atmosphere of a city and the hearts of people.
King Josiah led a return to Adonai by cleaning up and disposing of those things which offended God. He led the people of Judah to strike a covenant with God. He initiated the return to the Torah and the festivals. It is said of the Passover celebrated during his reign, “For no Passover like this had been celebrated from the days of the judges who judged Israel or in all the days of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah.” This is quite a statement considering the number of years the Passover had been celebrated. It was celebrated greater than Kings David and Solomon.
King Josiah not only restored the worship of Adonai, but he also tore down and destroyed the shrines and idols used in worship of foreign gods. He purged Judah of those things which were detestable and abominations to Adonai. The Torah, the Law of God, had already commanded the Israel nation they were to worship Adonai only. There were to be no other gods (Exodus 20: 1-6). There were to be no images of gods either.
Perhaps we need to cleanse and purge our closets, our computer, our cell phones, of images or icons which would offend Adonai. Maybe a personal ceremony where you burn, delete, or destroy those things which offend God. I am not going to draft a list of those things which I think should be destroyed. I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit if there are things you are playing, doing, engaging with online which are offensive to God.
Action: I choose to purge those things out of my life with offend the Lord.
Yield: I choose to yield to the Holy Spirit’s conviction about things which I am doing which are offensive to God.
Engage: I choose to engage with the Holy Spirit in purifying my life.
Relationship: I choose to live in obedient, intimate closeness with Adonai.
Prayer: Father, I desire to draw ever close to You and stay close, all the remaining days of my life. May I be an instrument of Your grace, influencing many of the Kingdom. Amen.
Memory Verse: Jacob (James) 4:8 “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded!” TLV
Music Video: Jeremy Riddle—Purify My Heart https://youtu.be/zkqJHUJlKVM?si=gYc7jDyxkv5t7XVi
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”