Tribute to a Godly King

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

May our nation’s leaders and people humbly follow after God (2Ki 23:25; 2Ch 35:24-25). #FollowHardAfterGod #HumblyFollowAfterGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

“Never before (or since) had there been a king like Josiah.“ Jeremiah also honors Josiah as an extraordinary king; “Josiah was just and right in all his dealings (Jer 22:15,16). Josiah sought God early in his life as a boy (2Ch 34:2,3). He honored the written word of God (2Ki 22:11; 23:2,3). He humbled himself in repentance and turned his heart towards God.

Josiah sought to obey God “with all his heart, soul and might” as recorded in Deuteronomy 6:5. He brought about sweeping reforms in the nation of Judah and pointed the people back to God. Josiah was elevated as the most righteous and highly regarded King ever in Israel. Lord, this king challenges me to the core, to be obedient to you in all my ways, all of my days left on this earth.

In Times of Crisis

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

When crisis strikes, may we fully rely upon God (2Ch 35:22-24; 2Ki 23:29,30). #NationalCrisis #PersonalCrisis #RelyFullyUponGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The godly King Josiah of Judah, was mortally wounded in battle with the Egyptians. He was wounded by an enemy arrow. He was loaded alive into his chariot, and removed quickly from the battle and taken back to Jerusalem. There he died.

I remember where I was on November 22, 1963 when President John F Kennedy was assassinated.

I watched in horror as Air Force One brought his body back to our nation’s Capital. It is not a stretch for me to imagine how the people of Judah must have felt at the time of Josiah‘s death in their history.

As a minister, I have been called to meet and sit with family members in a hospital emergency waiting room, when they receive the news of the fatal death of a loved one. I have conducted funerals in our military’s National Cemeteries where veterans and active duty soldiers have been laid to rest; they gave their greatest treasure, their lives in service to their country. I have served in the military myself.

Our world is full of dark days. Someone has said, “Long the struggle, hard to fight.” In the midst of bad news and dark national tragedy, we can rejoice just as the family of King Josiah could have done. Why? Because, in the midst of sorrow and grief those who believe in the living God can look forward to seeing the Lord Jesus and their loved ones again. This is the Eternal Hope we have in Christ. Lord, in times of National or personal crisis may I always rely fully upon you.

Ignorance Is Not Bliss

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

May our national and religious leaders, the people of our nation seek the whole counsel of God (2Ch 35:20-23). #SeekGod’sCounsel

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

King Josiah followed the Lord God all the days of his life. Yet, his demise in battle was dubious. It was perhaps a battle that needed not to be fought. Pharaoh Necho was headed for battle with an ancient enemy. He sought to take a shortcut through Judah. Josiah, for whatever reason, refused him passage through the land.

Necho told Josiah that “God” told him to go through the land to fight. [Scholars differ as to what “God“ pharaoh was referring; eg. Keil & Delitzsch point out that the word used for “God” here was a generic term]* Nevertheless, Josiah, for all his obedience to God, did not appear to seek God‘s counsel from priest or prophet. His ignorance of any such plan of God may have lead to his demise.**

Lord, in the crucible of life, may I not neglect to seek your counsel.

__________

* Keil and Delitzsch OT Commentary

For even had Pharaoh said [that Jehovah God] in so many words [told him to go through Judah], we could not here think of a divine message made known to him by a prophet, because God is neither called [by Necho] יהוה nor האלהים [the usual Devine ref to God] , but merely אלהים, and so it is only the Godhead in general which is spoken of; and Pharaoh only characterizes his resolution as coming from God, or only says: It was God’s will that Josiah should not hinder him, and strive against him. This Pharaoh might say without having received any special divine revelation, and after the warning had been confirmed by the unfortunate result for Josiah of his war against Necho.

** Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Commentators are not agreed whether it was really a divine commission given him through Jeremiah, or whether he merely used the name of God as an authority that Josiah would not refuse to obey. As [Josiah] could not [have have known] the truth of Necho’s declaration, Josiah did not sin in opposing him; or, if he sinned at all, it was a sin of ignorance. The engagement took place. Josiah was mortally wounded [2Ch 35:23].

Whole-Hearted Worship

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

May we worship with wholehearted reverence towards God (2Ch 35:16-19; 2Ki 23:21-23) #WorshipInSpiritAndInTruth

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

It had been centuries since the celebration of Passover had been carried out in such a complete manner; all in accordance with the prescription given by Moses. This means that even the godliest kings of Israel oversaw Passover done merely according to religious custom, ritual and tradition. Not in accordance with Mosaic prescription.

Neither priests, Levites nor people participated wholeheartedly in or viewed Passover with any meaningful reverence; it was a duty. So, this was a Passover to end all Passovers. Josiah, once again, stands head and shoulders above all the other kings of Israel. Lord, may I come in wholehearted worship, lifting holy hands in accordance with the spirit of the law (1Ti. 2:8).

May the spirit of the law (the practice and heart of my worship) inform the prescribed letter of the law (the discipline and manner of my worship).

Whole-Hearted Pledge

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

May we humbly repent, listen to God’s word and pledge to follow him whole-heartedly (2Ch 34:29-32). #PledgeAllegianceToGod #Repent #ReadGod’sWord #FollowGod’sWord

King Josiah Reads the Lost Book of the Law to the People

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

As a result of #1, the Book of the Law being found and #2, the word of the Lord, delivered to King Josiah by the Prophetess Huldah, the King called an assembly of all the people in Judah and Jerusalem. In this assembly, Josiah himself read the Book of the Law to the people.

King Josiah then took his place of authority in the Temple. He pledged himself to obey all the commands of the Lord. Then he called on the people of Judah and Jerusalem to pledge the same. They did so. Lord, I see hope for America (the church and our world) if those in authority will repent, look to your word and commit to follow Christ with a whole heart.

Ambiguity to Luminary

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Remain faithful to God, and his word; be a light for him (2Ch 34:21–28). #RemainFaithfulToGod’sWord #BeALightForGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Huldah was not just the closest prophet to the Temple, but she was highly respected as a woman who spoke for God. She had a luminary gift to teach the word of God (v22). She was a devout woman. Her family served in the temple with honors (v22). Huldah was not afraid to speak for God. Four times she says, “Thus says the Lord.“ (vv23,24,26,27).

Huldah believed God‘s word was the final authority (v24). She had discernment into the need of repentance and she recognized king Josiah’s repentance as genuine (v26,27). All her words, reported to the king, gave him the courage to lead Israel into revival and reform. Lord, I see in Huldah’s words that if I am faithful to your word, I can be used by you to encourage others.

God’s Word Stands

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Seek to cherish and honor God‘s word (2Ch 34:14–18). #God’sWordStands #HonorGod’sWord

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

As the restoration of the temple was being carried out the “Book of the Law” (likely Genesis through Deuteronomy) was discovered. Apparently all the books of Moses had been destroyed by previous godless Kings. This sole copy was left in the temple in storage. It was found by Hilkiah, the High Priest. He would have been very aware of its significance.

The “Book” was presented to King Josiah during a routine progress report on the Temple restoration (“Oh, by the way…”). But it was a stunning discovery, and lead ultimately to revival and reform under Josiah. I am reminded of the words, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Mat 24:35). Lord, may I always honor and cherish your holy word.

Facing Off With God

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

May you not be found standing against God’s message or his Messenger (Jer 20:3–6) #ListenToGod #Repent #TurnToGodNow

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Pashhur, Jeremiah‘s Temple priest detractor, is singled out here for judgment on two counts. 1) Standing against God‘s prophet, hindering God‘s message to repent, and 2) falsely prophesying himself the reverse of what God‘s prophet was saying – “Ev’thing will be all right.”

God gives Pashhur a new name (Magor-Missabib, Heb. meaning, “fear round about”). He would be what the name implies. He is destined to be a fright to himself and his supporters. Some will die violent deaths. Others will be carried off into exile and there die (all of which came true under the Babylonian invasions (BC 605–586).

Lord, may it be that I would always honor God’s message and his messenger.

Got Troubles?

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

May you know God’s grace & mercy in times of painful struggles (Jer 20:1–6). #Struggles #GotTroubles?

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The day after Jeremiah was arrested, whipped, put in leg irons and locked in torturous stocks; publicly humiliated by Pashhur, he was released. Pashhur was the temple administrator (a priest). He was wrong to do what he did. He was indifferent to Jeremiah’s message. He stood against God in his actions.

[Gamaliel, Paul’s Pharisee mentor, had a thought on this. He intervened for Peter before the Jewish council who intended to kill them (Acts 5:38,39)]

In 50 plus years of ministry I have, at times, felt the backbiting ire, of religious people. It was certainly not to the extent of Jeremih’s pain. But it was enough for me to understand the sorrow and hollow feeling of rejection for simply trying to do the right thing.

In those times, I may not have been perfect in my methods, but I know the intents of my heart were genuinely fixed on doing God’s will (which, by the way, ultimately prevail). Things have been put right with most of those detractors; others, not so much. What I remember in those times is how I learned to rely upon God‘s grace and mercy (Heb 4:16).

Prayer Cover for Ministers

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Be faithful to pray for your church leaders (Heb 13:18,19). #PrayForChurchLeaders

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

After an exhortation, to heed the words and directions of spiritual (God ordained) leaders, the writer pleads prayer for himself. He is one of those leaders into whose hands God has committed the lives of many souls. He is accountable to God.

He asks prayer for a clear conscience and that he might live just as honorably as he has exhorted these Jewish believers to do. He asks for prayers that he might return speedily to see them. How desperately church leaders need my prayer covering.

Lord, it is this sentry’s honor and responsibility to pray for my church leaders.

Pastor, Rejoice!

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Strive to give your pastoral leaders, a reason to rejoice (Heb 13:7,8,17). #HonorPastoralLeaders #EncourageSpiritualLeaders

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The writer points once again to spiritual leaders who have lived their lives faithful to God (Ch 11). He tells his readers to remember them, revere, and honor them for their example. Many are now gone off the scene. But our supreme leader, Jesus Christ, is still here. He is, he was and he will be the model we all follow. He never changes.

With respect to current spiritual leaders, listen to them with a heart to hear what they say regarding the faith. I would add, pray for them. Spiritual leaders are accountable to God for what they teach and for the care of their flock. Give these leaders a reason to sing, to rejoice.

Lord, it is incumbent upon me to pray for and heed my pastoral leaders. They strive to carry the message of truth and care for my growth in Christ.