What steps can we take to seek God wholeheartedly as Josiah did? Josiah’s Awakening: The Spark of a Wholehearted Pursuit “Josiah was eight years old when he became king… In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his father David” (2 Chronicles 34:1, 3). Josiah shows that wholehearted seeking is a decision, not an accident. Even as a teenager he determined to chase after God. The same intentional choice is open to us. Step 1 – Decide Early and Daily to Seek the Lord • Make today your starting line—no matter your age. • Commitment is renewed every dawn. Psalm 119:10: “With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments.” • When the heart is set, pursuits follow (Proverbs 4:23). Step 2 – Remove Every Idol Without Hesitation “He began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places… He smashed the altars and chopped down the Asherah poles” (2 Chronicles 34:3-4). Practical applications: • Identify anything that rivals God—habits, relationships, entertainment, ambitions. • Confess, forsake, and replace them with Christ-centered practices (1 John 5:21). • Remember Jeremiah 29:13: “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart”. A divided heart never finds. Step 3 – Rebuild What Is Broken in God’s House “In the eighteenth year of his reign… he sent men to repair the house of the LORD his God” (2 Chronicles 34:8). Our temples to restore: • Personal—spiritual disciplines (prayer, Scripture, worship). • Family—regular Bible reading and honest conversation about faith. • Church—serve, give, and strengthen the body (Ephesians 4:16). Step 4 – Submit Immediately to Newly Discovered Truth “While they were bringing out the money… Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law… When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes” (vv. 14, 19). • Treat every fresh insight from Scripture as a summons to obedience. • Hebrews 4:12 reminds us the Word “judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart”; let it do its work. Step 5 – Humble Yourself Under God’s Authority “Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God… I have heard you” (v. 27). True seeking carries a posture: • Brokenness over sin replaces self-defensiveness. • Prayer and fasting cultivate dependence (James 4:6-10). • God draws near to contrite seekers (Isaiah 57:15). Step 6 – Lead Others Toward Covenant Faithfulness “Josiah… read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant… He made all who were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin pledge themselves to it” (vv. 29-32). • Share what God is teaching you—discipleship multiplies devotion. • Encourage your sphere (family, friends, church) to renew commitment. • Matthew 5:16: let your light shine so others glorify the Father. Putting It Into Practice Today 1. Choose—declare, “Lord, I will seek You today.” 2. Clean—confess idols and remove them decisively. 3. Construct—invest time and resources in spiritual growth. 4. Consume—read, hear, and act on Scripture immediately (James 1:22). 5. Crush pride—embrace humility and repentance daily. 6. Call others—invite family, friends, and church to join the pursuit. Following these steps, we can echo Josiah’s testimony: “He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD… and did not turn aside to the right or to the left” (2 Chronicles 34:2). |
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