“When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes. He gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: “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 those who have gone before us have not kept the word of the Lord; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book.” 2 Chronicles 34:19-21
This was King Josiah’s response when the Book of the Law of the Lord that was given through Moses was found and its contents revealed to him. He recognized the evil and sin that Judah had committed against the Lord God.
“‘This is what the Lord says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people—all the curses written in the book that has been read in the presence of the king of Judah. Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and aroused my anger by all that their hands have made, my anger will be poured out on this place and will not be quenched.’ Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard: Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 24-27
God’s response to the ongoing disobedience of His chosen people was that “I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people.”
In this age of modern Christianity, we want to focus on God’s love (which is endless) and tell the consumer what they want to hear, when in fact we must be telling churchgoers and one another that God’s promises and decrees are complete and 360 degrees. He did provide eternal hope and love through his son AND he also tells us in his Word that he is a jealous God whose anger burns white hot and its intensity knows no bounds.
We are a Country that was founded on the principles and morality of Christianity. As a people, we have turned our back on God’s laws and requirements. We do not have benefit that King Josiah had of pleading ignorance about God’s laws and when Josiah was made aware and understood how he had violated these laws, he immediately humbled himself. Understand without confusion, God is angry at the United States, the Country founded on Him and his laws because we have turned our backs and challenged his authority and doubted his anger.
“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” Mark 8:36-37
I challenge you to set the priorities of this life in proper order for your children. Help them understand the temporal value of what the World says is of most value. Teach them that seeking righteousness and aspiring to obey and live lives that honor God are of utmost importance. Help them properly prioritize things so that when asked who they are or what they do, they answer without hesitation, “I am a daughter or son of God, I exist to further His Kingdom.” Set them free by helping them reject that they are defined by what college they attend, what job title they are assigned, what address they abide and what next, fleeting glamorous vacation they take.
“And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:49
Let’s get to work humbling ourselves to the Omnipotent Creator of all things and get busy doing our Father’s business.