DAY 206 Read 2 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 34: 1-28.
Today's reading: The boy king Josiah came close to turning his nation back to God completely; one powerful factor in effecting the reformation was finding the book of the law.
Memory gem: "Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord,...I have also heard thee, saith the Lord" (2 Kings 22:19).
Thought for today:
Why was the king so deeply affected by the reading of this book that was found in the house of the Lord? Evidently it was the first five books of Moses--Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Shaphan must have opened the book to the twenty-eight, twenty-ninth and thirtieth chapters of Deuteronomy, in which are recorded the renewal of God's national covenant with the people of Israel and a list of the terrible curses pronounced against all who violated the law, whether prince or people. We can see why the king was filled with grief and terror.
During the wicked reigns of Manasseh and Amon, the temple had been profaned and the ark had actually been removed from its proper place. During these troublous times the book had somehow become lost. Now, as the temple was repaired, it was found and delivered to the high priest. He recognized it for what it was and drew the attention of Shaphan to it.
And notice, Shaphan read it. That is what we all ought to do with the Word of God. Many people honor the Bible as a sort of talisman or charm, but it is nothing of the kind. It is the Word of God to the hearts of men, and it is to be read. Everyone who does not read it suffers a terrible loss.
Friend, have you ever found the Book of God, and has the Book found you? Those who take this Book of God to lands where it has never been known can testify to its power in finding men; and what testimonies these workers can bear! It finds the human heart right where it is, and transforms it.
And this Book will do the same for you and for me, and for everyone who truly finds it. It is a Book that has been lost many, many times and found many, many times; but it will never be destroyed. Its work will go on until Jesus comes, for it is "the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (1 Peter 1:23).
Today's reading: The boy king Josiah came close to turning his nation back to God completely; one powerful factor in effecting the reformation was finding the book of the law.
Memory gem: "Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord,...I have also heard thee, saith the Lord" (2 Kings 22:19).
Thought for today:
Why was the king so deeply affected by the reading of this book that was found in the house of the Lord? Evidently it was the first five books of Moses--Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Shaphan must have opened the book to the twenty-eight, twenty-ninth and thirtieth chapters of Deuteronomy, in which are recorded the renewal of God's national covenant with the people of Israel and a list of the terrible curses pronounced against all who violated the law, whether prince or people. We can see why the king was filled with grief and terror.
During the wicked reigns of Manasseh and Amon, the temple had been profaned and the ark had actually been removed from its proper place. During these troublous times the book had somehow become lost. Now, as the temple was repaired, it was found and delivered to the high priest. He recognized it for what it was and drew the attention of Shaphan to it.
And notice, Shaphan read it. That is what we all ought to do with the Word of God. Many people honor the Bible as a sort of talisman or charm, but it is nothing of the kind. It is the Word of God to the hearts of men, and it is to be read. Everyone who does not read it suffers a terrible loss.
Friend, have you ever found the Book of God, and has the Book found you? Those who take this Book of God to lands where it has never been known can testify to its power in finding men; and what testimonies these workers can bear! It finds the human heart right where it is, and transforms it.
And this Book will do the same for you and for me, and for everyone who truly finds it. It is a Book that has been lost many, many times and found many, many times; but it will never be destroyed. Its work will go on until Jesus comes, for it is "the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (1 Peter 1:23).
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