2 Chronicles 34:18–19: “Then Shaphan the scribe told [King Josiah], saying, ‘Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.’ And Shaphan read it before the king. Thus it happened, when the king heard the words of the Law, that he tore his clothes.”

October 21st, 2023 by Pastor Ed in devotional

Do you remember the first time you really heard God’s word? I do, and it was overwhelming. It’s important to keep in mind that this 26-year-old Josiah had never even heard of the Bible before. The message of the book floored him; he was devastated, convicted to his core by its contents. We can imagine this response came after perhaps hearing:

But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you. (Deut. 28:15)

Josiah’s response gives us an insight into his depth of character. These words were not meant to build up, but to tear down false, religious pride; and it fulfilled its purpose in this young king. He immediately repented of his own sins and was in distress over the past sins of the nation. He was in effect saying, “We are guilty and ripe for God’s hand of discipline because the exact things forbidden in the law, we have been doing.”

Repentance is what God is waiting on to take place in each and every life. I love the response of the apostle Peter when he suddenly realized he was in God’s presence: “When Simon Peter saw [the miraculous number of fish they caught in their net], he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!’” (Luke 5:8). Peter saw himself by the light of Jesus. We all need to see ourselves in the light of the Lord. We often fail to see our need for God because we are measuring ourselves against other people who we think are much worse than us. But by the light of God’s holiness and purity, that all revealing light, who and what we really are is exposed, sinners in need of God’s forgiveness. And it is a forgiveness that God is greatly willing and desirous to give to repentant hearts. After all the curses of Deuteronomy 28 and 29, chapter 30 brings God’s promise that He will have compassion on and restore those who return to Him.

“LORD, we are sinners and need Your forgiveness again. Cleanse us and walk with us today we ask in Jesus’ name.”