Sins Great Consequences
2 Kings 23:25-26, "And like unto him (Josiah) was there no king before him, that 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, neither after him arose there any like him. 26 Notwithstanding, the LORD turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations that Manasseh had provoked him withal.
Today's verses take us toward the end of the reigns of Judah's kings, but not before we find a king who wholly followed the LORD. He fulfilled the law of Deuteronomy 6:5, "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." He turned to the LORD, this is an indication of repentance. While many in our day are turning to themselves and their own desires and away from God, Josiah turned to the LORD. Which way are you headed? Are you drawing close to God in daily fellowship with Him and His people, or are you drifting away from Him and His people? Walking with God is a purposeful choice that we must make every day!
In spite of Josiah's heart, the children of Judah had been so disobedient and rebellious that God determined He would still judge the people by allowing foreign kings to invade them, and ultimately Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon to carry them away into captivity. God had warned His people through the prophets and yet they did not respond in faith and obedience. The sad words of 2 Kings 25:21 fulfilled God's promise of judgment, "... the king of Babylon smote them, and slew them at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was carried away out of their land."
America needs to repent, yet it could already be too late to be spared from the consequences of our sin. You can repent, I can repent, which is the right thing to do, however, we don't know if our repentance will save us from sins consequences or America. May we seek the LORD, may we do as Josiah, may we turn to the LORD with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our might.
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1. Are you drawing close to God in daily fellowship with Him and His people, or are you drifting away from Him and His people?
2. Is your heart intent upon following after God? How should you respond when such is not the case?
3. Is there anything in your life today that is displeasing to the Lord? If so, what do you need to do to get right with God?