Deeds of Devotion

I was just reading through the book of 2 Chronicles the other day and I came across something very interesting and encouraging. As you may know. 2 Chronicles is a history of the kings of Judah (mostly) after the separation of the kingdom into 2 parts. There is some history about Israel and its kings, but predominantly the books focuses on the kingdom to the south and the Davidic lineage of Kings. Most of the kings were ok, some were worse than others, but they were all about average. Except that is for 2. Hezekiah and Josiah. Both of these kings, were exemplary in their service to their people and to God. Out of all the kings of Judah or Israel these two are the only ones who merit this comment from God, "Now the rest of the acts of Josiah/Hezekiah and their Deeds of Devotion are written in the law of the Lord". Their "Deeds of Devotion". That is their peity or commitment ot God and more importantly to following God. God had made it clear to the people of Israel that if they keep His commands He will be with them. But if they depart from them He too will depart from "them". Hezekiah and Josiah both committed, devoted themselves to God and God blessed their kingdoms.

How did they devote themselves to Him? By following His commands. And how did they find out about His commands? Knowing His Word. Its that simple. They both knew who God was from His Word. They both knew what to do (casting out the false gods, tearing down idols, casting out temple prostitues) from God's Word. Apart from His word they could do nothing. All the others kings departed from God's Word and God left them. Left them to despair and torture and pain. Until that is, they cried out to Him and began again to follow His Word. Then in His great mercy, He returned to them. But apart from obedience to His Word they could do nothing. They were lost, a traveler without a map.

I know from God's Word that in those days there were all kinds of forces pulling kings and peoples away from God's Word. Satan was at work and he was distracting the people of God from His Word and consequently from Him. Just like with Eve in the Garden "You will surely not die". Satan was distorting the Word of God. Today we face these same forces pulling us away. They like the serpent in the Garden seem harmless (that is if you are not afraid of snakes, Yikes). They like any distortion contain some of the semblance of the genuine article but are slightly different. Its not so bad, its ok, its just a different take on an old way, its influencing the modern culture. Those kinds of words are coming from ministry leaders today. The truth is being distorted and they are going along with it. They are not willing to take up the fight and stand for the Truth. Josiah and Hezekiah both were willing to stand up and say, this is not right, this is a lie, this is a distortion that is not real. And they both were willing to stand on the Truth, on God's Word. That is true and real and unchanging.

If we are to be men and woman of God, men and woman who want to be remembered for our Deeds of Devotion, we must be devoted to His Word. We must not be distracted by the popular, the hip, the pop culture new way of doing ministry. We must be devoted to the Truth that is God's Word and nothing else. Sola Scriptura.

God's Blessings on you all :-)