How should we respond to God's warnings in our lives today? The Setting: A Rediscovered Word - Josiah becomes king of Judah and orders repairs to the temple (2 Kings 22:1-7). - During the work the Book of the Law is found, read to the king, and it pierces his heart (vv. 8-11). - Josiah sends messengers to inquire of the LORD; the prophetess Huldah brings God’s verdict of coming judgment but also personal mercy for the king (vv. 12-19). God’s Verdict and Mercy “Therefore I will indeed gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place.” (2 Kings 22:20) Key observations: - Judgment on the nation is certain. - Josiah is spared because he humbled himself when he heard the warning (v. 19). Josiah’s Example: Hearing and Heeding What Josiah models for us: 1. Tenderness of heart—he “tore his clothes” (v. 11) in grief over sin. 2. Immediate inquiry—he sought a word from God, not human opinion (v. 13). 3. Humility—he accepted God’s assessment without excuses (v. 19). 4. Action—chapters 23 shows sweeping reforms: breaking idols, renewing covenant, leading others in obedience. How God Warns Us Today - Scripture: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). - The Holy Spirit’s conviction (John 16:8). - Faithful preaching and counsel (Colossians 1:28). - Providential circumstances that shake us awake (Amos 4:6-13). Right Responses to God’s Warnings • Listen carefully – “See to it that you do not refuse the One who is speaking” (Hebrews 12:25). • Humble yourself – “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). • Repent wholeheartedly – “Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away” (Acts 3:19). • Remove competing loyalties – Josiah smashed idols; we discard anything that rivals Christ (1 John 5:21). • Obey promptly – “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). • Persevere in vigilance – “So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:6). What God Promises the Obedient - Peace in the midst of a turbulent world (Isaiah 26:3). - Protection from wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:10). - A useful, fruitful life (John 15:5). - Eternal reward (2 Timothy 4:8). Living It Out This Week 1. Schedule unrushed time in Scripture; ask, “Lord, is there a warning here for me?” 2. Identify any known sin or compromise; confess and forsake it today. 3. Make one concrete obedience step—restore a relationship, purge a habit, reorder priorities. 4. Encourage someone else with God’s Word; warnings become blessings when shared in love (Ezekiel 3:17-19). Hope Beyond the Warning God warns to rescue, not to crush. Just as Josiah found mercy amid looming judgment, every believer finds refuge in Christ: “God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9). Listening, humbling, repenting, and obeying turn divine warnings into gateways of grace, peace, and renewed fellowship with Him. |
    |