Mon.’s Devo - Josiah’s Reign

Read: 2 Chronicles 33:14-34:33; Romans 16:10-27; Psalm 26:1-12; Proverbs 20:19 After Manasseh repented and turned to the Lord, he cleansed the nation of idolatry and built up his military and its walls. When he died, his son Amon reigned only two years. He was an evil king who practiced idolatry. His own officials assassinated him in his palace. The people of the land killed his murderers and placed his son, Josiah on the throne. Josiah was 8 years old and he was the Josiah that had been prophesied years before when Jeroboam burned incense on the altar in 1 Kings 13:2. The prophesy had said that Josiah would burn the bones of the false priests on that very altar which is exactly what Josiah did. Josiah lead a massive clean-up of all the idolatry in the land. Then he repaired the Temple and restored worship. While the priests were cleaning out the Temple, they found a copy of the law of Moses. They brought it to Josiah and read it. He realized that they had disobeyed its laws and the penalty would be their demise. He called the nation to repentance and sent the priests to inquire from God about their sin. The prophetess, Huldah was asked to tell them what God’s word to them was. She said that God was not happy but because they repented their judgment would not happen during Josiah’s reign. Josiah then took God’s Law and gathered the people to Jerusalem where he publicly proclaimed his loyalty to follow the Law. He also required the people to make a similar pledge to the Lord. He remained loyal to the Lord throughout his reign. In Romans, Paul continued honoring the people who had ministered with him then he gave them a final warning. He told them to watch out for people who caused divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what he had taught them out of God’s law. He encouraged them to continue doing what was right before God. The God of peace would soon crush Satan under their feet. Glory to God who is able to make us strong and in His great plan welcomed the Gentiles to believe and obey him. Lord, thank you that You make us strong and able to defeat the devil and his evil plans. Thank you for your great plan to save the Gentiles along with the Jews.