Godly living affects a nation and our world

2 Kings 22:1–23:27, Ephesians 5:1–33, Proverbs 9:1–12

One of the last kings in Judah began to rule when he was eight years old. Josiah reigned thirty-one years, doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord, not turning aside to the right or to the left. (2 Kings 22:1–2)

This shows that goodness can be in the heart of a child. He was deeply concerned about the spiritual lives of his people and the restoration of temple worship, collecting the money brought in and using it for the repairs.

While those repairs happened, his officials found the Book of the Law and read it to Josiah. He tore his clothes and commanded his leaders, “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.” (2 Kings 22:10–13)

I wonder what would happen in our country if our leaders did the same thing. Can leaders have a heart like Josiah’s heart? He humbled himself before the Lord, and even though God’s announced disaster on the nation would come, God was merciful toward him and said: “. . . You shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place.” (2 Kings 22:19–20)

At that, Josiah made a covenant before the Lord, to walk with Him and keep his commandments with all his heart and soul. All the people joined in the covenant. Then Josiah set to work. Even though God’s wrath could not be avoided, he wanted to rid the nation of all evil and idolatrous practices.

He removed everything related to false gods from the temple of the Lord and burned it all. He deposed the priests previously ordained to make offerings in the high places and who burned incense to Baal and the sun, moon, and hosts of the heavens. He destroyed the houses of cult prostitutes, all the high places, and the places where people had burned their children as offerings to Molech. This list goes on and included all the shrines in Samaria as well. Then he returned to Jerusalem. (2 Kings 23:19–20)

After that, Josiah commanded, “Keep the Passover to the Lord your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant” and restored this important celebration. Josiah also “put away the mediums and the necromancers and the household gods and the idols and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might establish the words of the law that were written in the book.” The Bible says, “There was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him.”

Josiah personified Solomon’s words from Proverbs 9:9-11: “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.”

This king also exemplified the commands in the NT. We are to be imitators of God, walking in love as Christ loved us. No immorality, impurity or covetousness should be named among us, nor filthiness, foolish talk, or crude joking. Instead, we are to be thankful people. We were at one time darkness, but now are light in the Lord. So it is fitting that we, “Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” (Ephesians 5:8–11)

Paying attention to how I live, not as unwise but as wise, means making the best use of my time, not being foolish, but understanding God’s will.

This is not pie-in-the-sky stuff, or matters reserved for church and Sunday. Josiah rebuilt a literal temple, but since I am a “temple of the Holy Spirit” in which the Lord now dwells, I’m to keep that temple in good order. Because I am His child, He cares about all aspects of my daily life. Actually, the everyday way people live is just as vital to the health of a nation as the godly leadership of a king.

Ephesians 5 includes an admonition about drinking and how being filled with God’s Spirit will give me all that I need to wisely walk with Him. The Spirit produces harmony among His people. This extends to marriage where husbands are told: “Let each one of you love his wife as himself” and wives are told to respect their husbands. (Ephesians 5:33)

The zeal of Josiah pleased God. Even though Solomon had trouble putting it into practice, his wisdom pleased God too, and enough to record it in His Word for all time. My daily life, what I talk about, how I use my time, where I find my joy, and how I treat my husband are all ways to please God also. This and more is part of the bigger picture —the way God’s people can affect the world in which we live.

Why depravity is total

After a brief Bible study on the deceitfulness of sin, I understand why William Carey, a missionary and godly man, didn’t want a glowing tribute in his eulogy. Near the end of his life, he was asked about it. He replied, “Oh, I feel that such a poor sinful creature is unworthy to have anything said about him.” He went on to say if a funeral sermon must be preached, the first verse from Psalm 51 would be his selection. 

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! (Psalm 51:1–2)

Carey knew what God teaches us about ourselves — that even the best of us are still sinful humans. Some who profess to be Christian might boast, but those in whom Christ dwells cannot boast. Instead, we cry for mercy. We know that apart from Him, our lives are totally unprofitable. We His mercy on our good works, prayers, teaching, giving and all our sacred duties.

Spurgeon reminds me of this. He says that the blood of the lamb that spared the Israelites in Egypt was not only sprinkled on their doorposts, but later required on their sanctuary, the mercy-seat and even the altar where they worshiped. Sin intrudes into our holiest things. The blood of Jesus, the ultimate Lamb of God, is needed to purify even the most God-honoring activities from the defilement of our sin.

Carey knew it and I know it too. Mercy is required for our blatant sins to be sure, but mercy is also needed in regard to the exercise of our Christian duties and ministry. There is no part of who we are or what we do that is pure. A kindness may begin with unselfish thoughts of others, but so quickly slides into a reason to pat myself on the back. Prayer might begin as a helpless cry to Almighty God, yet can so easily descend into the arrogance of me telling Him what to do.

The term “total depravity” is used for the extent of sin. This does not mean that every life is as evil as it could possibly be (or does it?) but that sin has touched our total being. It affects everything we think, say and do. I cannot bring even the tiniest thing to God and claim that it is totally pure and without sin. Only Jesus can do that, and that is why I need Him.

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Lord, I am instructed to pray “in Jesus’ name” because I dare not come in my own. I’ve no merit, no qualifications to speak to You or ask anything of You. Yet according to Your steadfast love and abundant mercy, You blot out my sin and cleanse me from it. You see me in Christ, not in my sinful self. I have no claim of my own, yet You allow me to claim the righteous of Your Son. This is an incredible mercy — and I am truly grateful.