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2 Kings 22:19  “because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people, that they would become accursed and laid waste, and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord.” 

Josiah was known to be one of the greatest kings of Judah. A matter a fact the scripture says in 2 Kings 23: 24-25 that “neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did with all his heart and with all his soul and withal his strength, in accordance with all the law of Moses”. The reason for this was because of how he reacted when he discovered the book of the Law. It was after reading this book that he discovered the truth of his ancestors and their sin, and it caused Josiah to not only examine his life, but also make the right adjustments to be right with God.  

Josiah’s response to the reading is key to being heard by God when he cried out. This should also serve as a great example to us as we learn about what grabs the attention of God. How do you react to the truth of Gods word? Josiah also humbled himself in the form that he tore his garments in repentance while being in the presence of the most high God!  

What moved me in reading Josiah’s story was what it said in verse 26. “nevertheless, the Lord did not turn away from the heat of his fierce anger, which burned against Judah because of all that Manasseh had done to provoke him to anger.” This had nothing to do with Josiah! Although he moved and did all he could do to repent, and make changes in government and tore down altars, Josiah was considered the greatest of all the kings to God, and he caused the Lord to hear his cry, but this was still not enough to stop the curse because the people’s hearts never did as Josiah’s did. Josiah’s response should be a teaching to all of us today. For him there was peace throughout his reign because he understood the secrets to being heard. May we also learn and follow in his footsteps and learn from what the people of Israel failed to understand.   

Prayer: God, please help us as we look at your Word daily. Allow it to transform us and cause in us to make the right response as Josiah did. We surrender all to you Lord in Jesus name! Amen!