For the past two weeks you have watched both political parties duke it out in the National Spotlight. Watching the volley of this political tennis match is daunting, but necessary to me. I am concerned with the state of our country and the future of my children from a national standpoint. The Bible is clear that we should pray for our leaders and I am sure people are praying every day. Lately, I have been praying for a leader like Josiah. I believe we need more “Josiah Leadership” than a leadership which pleases the masses.
We need Josiah!
“And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.” (2 Kings 22:2; ESV)
While the beginnings of Josiah may not be known to everyone, it should be known that he became king at 8 years old (2 Kings 22.1). A greater point to Josiah’s legacy should be the Biblical fact that he did what was right in the sight of God. (2 Kings 22:2). He lived in the spiritual heritage of his forefather David (2 Kings 22:2). What a powerful statement of heritage because we know that David was a man after God’s own heart. (Acts 13:22)
We Need Leaders to Stand Like Josiah!
“And the king went up to the house of the LORD, and with him all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the priests and the prophets, all the people, both small and great. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD.” (2 Kings 23:2; ESV)
In the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign, the book of the Law was found (2 Kings 22:8). Take special notice of Josiah’s emotions when the book of the law was found. (2 Kings 22:11). He knew the history of the nation and how his forefathers were evil in their acts (2 Kings 22:13). As the nation’s leader, He took a stand of dedication to the Lord more than his fathers (2 Kings 23:2-3).
Did you notice that Josiah stood before the people and read the Book of the Covenant? Josiah did; not the priests, not the king’s servants, but the king! We need more leaders reading the Bible instead of talking about the Bible.
We Need a Leader to Stand!
“And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second order and the keepers of the threshold to bring out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel.” (2 Kings 23:4; ESV)
Here is where Josiah stood: The idols to the false gods from the temple were removed (2 Kings 23:4), the false priests that were ordained were put down (2 Kings 23:5), the wooden image was burned (2 Kings 23:6), the booths of perverts were tore down (2 Kings 23:7), Josiah defiled the place of Molech. (2 Kings 23:10), horses dedicated to the sun were removed, and chariots burned. (2 Kings 23:11) and He commanded the people the people to keep the Passover. (2 Kings 23:21)
We Need Leaders Like Josiah!
“Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him.” (2 Kings 23:25; ESV)
We need leaders to take a stand on the ultimate code of law and morality – the Bible. The Psalmist understood the power of following God (Psalm 33:12). Our country needs leaders to read and see what the Bible says about life.
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34; ESV)
The Choice Begins with You!
The choice to build dependable leadership is by building dependable people of morality, conviction and truth. Each of us must make the change in our lives to begin changing the world. Are you making the change?
Will you put away false gods? (Those things taking the place of God)
Will you put away from you those false teachers? (Those teaching what God does not want?
Josiah stood for God, will you?
Just my thoughts,
Do you need a reason to spiritually rejoice? Here are 20 reasons to remind you that you can spiritually rejoice today.
There are several graphics below to accompany the scriptures listed. Enjoy.
20 Reasons to Spiritually Rejoice
- God made today (Psalm 118.24)
- God made it all (Psalm 92.4)
- God has made known the path of life (Psalm 16.11)
- God wants me to live (1 Thessalonians 3.8)
- Got a great spouse? (Proverbs 31.10)
- Children are a blessing (Psalm 127.3)
- God hears your prayers (Proverbs 15.29)
- God gives hope (Romans 12.12)
- God can cheer your soul (Psalm 94.19)
- Got righteous children? (Proverbs 23.24)
- God’s testimonies are forever (Psalm 119.111)
- Rejoice when others rejoice (Romans 12.15)
- God gave you unique abilities (Romans 12.6)
- Rejoice when you are persecuted (Matthew 5.12)
- Are you a cheerful giver? (2 Corinthians 9.7)
- Christ is risen; the tomb is still empty (Matthew 28.8)
- Forgiveness (Psalm 51.8)
- Faithful congregations (3 John 4)
- The Lord delights in you (Psalm 139.4)
- You are redeemed (Psalm 71.23)
There is always a reason to rejoice.
Just my thoughts,
Seriously, STOP using it!
I am not sure if I could write it any clearer, but STOP using it!
Do you have any idea what it means? Or any idea what you are saying?
The use of God’s name in OMG is nothing more than a vain space filler without the absence of human thought. 99.9% of the time when I hear God’s name in OMG and the phrase, “Oh my God.” it is not calling out to Him for help or a plea to the maker, but a space filler.
Let’s be honest, it is time to stop filling space with God’s name and start filling hearts with Him.
The Bible has been clear for centuries on the use of God’s name:
“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7; ESV)
‘You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” (Deuteronomy 5:11; ESV)
So, today, consider how you are using God’s name? Are you using it as a space filler or it is really a cry out to the Creator for His help in our time of need?
Just some thoughts,
#10 – Samuel’s Words to Israel
He said, “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen and to run before his chariots. And he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his servants. He will take the tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and to his servants. He will take your male servants and female servants and the best of your young men and your donkeys, and put them to his work. He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves. And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you in that day.”
(1 Samuel 8:11-18)
#9 – A Money Proverb from King Solomon (Proverbs 22.7)
“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.”
#8 – The Blessed Nation (Psalm 33.12)
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!”
#7 – A House Divided (Mark 3.25)
“And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.”
#6 – Live at Peace (Romans 12.18)
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
#5 – The Understanding Character (Proverbs 28.16)
“A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.”
#4 – The Power of the Government (Romans 13.1)
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”
#3 – Work as for the Lord (Colossians 3.23-24)
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Jesus Christ.”
#2 – No Work, No Eat (2 Thessalonians 3.10)
“For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”
#1 – Remember, Remember, Remember (Ecclesiastes 12.14)
“For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
Just my thoughts,
