because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord. 2 Chronicles 34:27, NIV

 

Who is the person in our verse today whom God heard – because he humbled himself, tore his robes, and wept in God’s presence? He was the king of Judah who followed his father, Amon, whose officials had assassinated him and the people put his son in his place.

 

I loved reading about King Josiah from the time I first discovered him – among all the other kings in the Old Testament – when I was confined to a sickbed many years ago now. Reading about the reigns of the various kings often became quite depressing then, because, all too often the words “he did evil in the eyes of the Lord” followed a king’s introduction.

 

Josiah was refreshingly different.

 

“He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 34:2), showing himself to be humble enough to see the horrendous idolatry rife in his kingdom, and responsive to correction – something truly heartening, given he was only eight years old when he came to the throne. He showed that you’re never too young to be capable of taking on a high task, even the one of making drastic changes to bring a nation back in line with God’s commands.

 

If your heart is alive to God’s inspiration, and you are determined to obey what is right in his eyes, your reward will be that God will hear you too. Josiah’s zeal showed much about human nature at its best, and he made his mark as a king of Judah by honouring God above himself.

 

He took his responsibility as king seriously, paying attention to spiritual matters and making wise decisions for the people; he tore down the high places, restored the temple and celebrated the Passover. Josiah heard and believed God’s judgement, responded to the Book of the Law when it was discovered and internalised it – despite his tender age. Perhaps because of his youth, he saw things starkly, as they really were, and believed God above all else.

 

It reminds me of how Jesus said if we do not receive the kingdom of God like a little child, we will never enter it. (Mark 10:15) We have to believe God’s Word applies to us too – to be honest with ourselves, recognise our wrongs, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us into living radically for Him. Like Josiah, our response to God’s Word should never simply be head knowledge; it must reach the heart, humble us, and move us to act, whatever the cost – trusting that when we do God hears us too.

 

Prayer: Lord, help me to be humble, responsive, and quick to be corrected like Josiah. Hear me when I cry to you, in Jesus’ name. Amen