What actions can we take to prioritize Scripture like Josiah in 2 Chronicles 34? Rediscover the Word • Keep your Bible where you will see it first thing each day—Josiah could not respond until “Shaphan read it in the presence of the king” (2 Chron 34:18). • Schedule regular, unrushed reading times. “You shall meditate on it day and night” (Joshua 1:8). • Use tools that help you grasp the text: reliable translations, study notes, audio Bibles. Respond with Humble Reverence • Josiah “tore his clothes” (34:19). Cultivate a heart that trembles at God’s Word (Isaiah 66:2). • Begin each reading session asking God to reveal any area needing correction (Hebrews 4:12). • Record convictions in a journal; act on them promptly (James 1:22). Repent and Remove Rivals • Josiah “purged Judah and Jerusalem of the high places” (34:3). Identify modern idols—media, habits, relationships—that compete with Scripture for your attention. • Physically dispose of materials that entice you away from obedience (Acts 19:19). • Replace those practices with Scripture-saturated alternatives: worship music, memorization, Christ-centered books. Renew Covenant Obedience • Josiah “made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD” (34:31). Write a personal commitment declaring Scripture your final authority (2 Timothy 3:16-17). • Revisit and reaffirm that covenant monthly. • Obedience proves priority: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Celebrate Scripture Publicly • Josiah “read in their hearing all the words of the Book” (34:30). Attend gatherings where the Word is read aloud (1 Timothy 4:13). • Start or join a small group that reads whole books of the Bible together. • Share discoveries with family at meals (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). Teach the Next Generation • Josiah’s reforms secured blessing “all the days of his life” (34:33). • Read a children’s Bible with younger family members; help them memorize verses (Psalm 119:11). • Model visible Bible engagement—let them see you studying, underlining, praying through passages. Maintain Continuing Reformation • Josiah celebrated the Passover “as it had not been observed since the days of Samuel” (35:18). Mark spiritual milestones with Scripture-centered traditions—communion, baptism anniversaries, family “Passover-style” meals that recount redemption in Christ. • Regularly evaluate church, home, and personal life against Scripture’s standards, adjusting immediately where drift appears (Revelation 2:4-5). |
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