A Clean Set of Books

While they were bringing out the money that had been taken into the temple of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the LORD that had been given through Moses. Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king...And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king. When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes. He gave these orders to Hilkiah... "Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the LORD's anger that is poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book." (2 Chronicles 34:14,18-21, NIV)

Recently, I was cleaning out my office. Old records were thrown out, dust was cleaned, and room was made for all the piles of "stuff" that had accumulated. It was interesting that there was really no need for the piles of stuff. Plenty of room was available if I had merely cleansed the shelves and drawers of things that were not needed.

King Josiah of Judah began a similar effort in the temple of the LORD. As the priests cleaned out the temple, they came across an unusual book: "the Book of the Law of the LORD that had been given through Moses" (2 Chron. 34:14, NIV). Apparently the holy Scriptures had been set aside into a pile of other "stuff" in the temple. The people of Israel allowed influences in their life that took them away from worship of the One true and living God. Over time, the result of these influences was a nation that had become spiritually bankrupt, defiled with idols that polluted their lives and their souls.

King Josiah mourned greatly when he heard what God had spoken through Moses for "he tore his robes" (2 Chron. 34:19, NIV). He was greatly concerned for himself and his nation because they were not seeking God nor were they following His will for their lives. Out of this concern, Josiah humbly turned back to God. He led his nation in a great revival. The Land experienced a great spiritual blessing as Josiah cleansed it from places of idol worship, prostitution, and the consultation of mediums and spiritists (all of which he heard were condemned by God in the Scriptures). He turned to God, cleansed his life of ungodly influences, and worshiped God in spirit and in truth as our LORD Jesus Christ said we should all do (John 4:24).

Perhaps you need to examine your life for influences that hinder your worship of the One true and living God. Have you put "the Book," the holy Bible, on a shelf in your home tucked away neatly behind other piles of "stuff" you really do not need? It is high time that you cleanse your bookshelves and take the Bible off the shelf and into your heart where the LORD Jesus Christ can speak. If your life is anything like the life of your nation, you may be experiencing the same kind of spiritual bankruptcy that Josiah saw in his land. Become the revivalist in your home, just like Josiah. Turn humbly to the LORD who will surely hear your hearfelt cry for revival and renewal. The blessings of walking with God are within your reach -- it only takes a look at "the Book!"

Our Creator God loves you and wants you to know Him! If you would like to contact this ministry for further information or questions, please send your e-mail to:
Email: ministryrequest1@WordTruth.Com
Web Site: WordTruth.Com

Copyright 1999, Randy Lariscy.