37 lines
4.2 KiB
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37 lines
4.2 KiB
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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Day By Day By Grace
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Bob Hoekstra
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September 28
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<h1>More on Josiah Humbling Himself before the Lord</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>Thus says the LORD God of Israel: "Concerning the words which you have heard—because your <b>heart</b> was <b>tender</b>, and you <b>humbled</b> yourself <b>before God</b> when you heard <b>His words</b> against this place and against its inhabitants, and you <b>humbled</b> yourself before <b>Me</b>, and you <b>tore</b> your clothes and <b>wept</b> before <b>Me</b>, I also have heard you," says the LORD…"<b>your</b> eyes shall <b>not</b> see all the calamity which I will bring on this place and its inhabitants."</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Ch', 34, '26-27');">2 Chronicles 34:26-27</a>)</div>
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<p>King Josiah was a godly ruler, who purged the land of idolatrous activities. When the neglected word of God was discovered in the temple, he responded <b>humbly</b> as he heard it read. <i>"Now it happened, when the <b>king</b> heard the <b>words</b> of the <b>Law</b>, that he <b>tore</b> his <b>clothes</b>."</i> He thereby escaped the judgment that was deserved by the rebellious people. Also, this appropriate wrath was postponed until after his reign.</p>
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<p>These blessings of <b>grace</b> came because of Josiah's <b>humble</b> response to God's word. His heart was <b>soft</b> when he heard the word of the Lord: <i>"Concerning the <b>words</b> which you have <b>heard</b>—because your <b>heart</b> was <b>tender</b>."</i> The attitude of the heart toward the Scriptures is pivotal if a person is to experience God's grace at work in his life. A hardhearted response to the word of God does not receive the grace of God. The Israelites in Zechariah's day were a sad example of this. The Lord sent His word to them, <i>"But they <b>refused</b> to <b>heed</b>, <b>shrugged</b> their <b>shoulders</b>, and <b>stopped</b> their <b>ears</b> so that they could not hear. Yes, they made their <b>hearts</b> like <b>flint</b>, <b>refusing</b> to <b>hear</b> the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus <b>great wrath</b> came from the LORD of hosts"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Zec', 7, '11-12');">Zechariah 7:11-12</a>).</p>
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<p>Josiah's attitude was a vivid contrast. <i>"You <b>humbled</b> yourself <b>before God</b> when you heard <b>His words</b> against this place and against its inhabitants."</i> He did what James would later call God's people to do. <i>"<b>Receive</b> with <b>meekness</b> the implanted <b>word</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jam', 1, '21-21');">James 1:21</a>). Josiah's humility was so evident. <i>"You <b>humbled</b> yourself before <b>Me</b>, and you <b>tore</b> your clothes and <b>wept</b> before <b>Me</b>."</i> The result was that Josiah would enjoy the grace of God. His time of leadership would not have to go through the wrath that the people deserved from their previous rebellion and hardheartedness. <i>"<b>Your</b> eyes shall <b>not</b> see all the calamity which I will bring on this place and its inhabitants."</i></p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Dear Lord, I confess that I have not always responded in humility before Your word. I thank You for Your forgiving grace. Yet, even more, I hunger for Your transforming grace. Shape my heart into a tender vessel that will meekly receive Your holy word, day by day, for Your honor and glory, Amen.</div>
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