Lamentations for King Josiah
Josiah was a boy king who served the Lord with all of his heart. When the book of the Law was found as they cleaned out the temple, he set out to follow it fully. He cleansed the land of idolatry and fully instituted the temple worship, even holding a Passover for all Israel exactly as prescribed by Moses. When he died, there was great sorrow. Great spiritual men like the Prophet Jeremiah lamented his death. The male and female singers lamented the death of Josiah, so much so that for years those songs were sung in his remembrance. The songs were even recorded in the Laments. (II Chronicles 35:25) The lamentations made for Josiah speaks volumes about the impact his life had on so many people. What will the lamentation be for us when we die?
I do not want to be morbid by asking us to think about what it will be like when we die. I do not want to engender any kind of prideful ambition to do things, so we will be remembered, either. However, I want to get us to consider if our lives have been on point for the Lord so much that when we are gone people will miss us. When we are gone will people remember not only what we have done, but how we have done it? How long will the lamentations go on? Will people write about what God has done through us, and will very spiritual people comment on our lives with fondness? I believe we should live our lives one day at a time, with the spiritual ambition to be faithful to the task God has given us. Most of us will not be kings or people of authority, but even a door keeper who has been faithful is worthy of praise and honor. I pray that our lives will matter for God and for His Kingdom so people will recognize His power in our lives.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Chronicles 36 and Ezra 1-2.
I do not want to be morbid by asking us to think about what it will be like when we die. I do not want to engender any kind of prideful ambition to do things, so we will be remembered, either. However, I want to get us to consider if our lives have been on point for the Lord so much that when we are gone people will miss us. When we are gone will people remember not only what we have done, but how we have done it? How long will the lamentations go on? Will people write about what God has done through us, and will very spiritual people comment on our lives with fondness? I believe we should live our lives one day at a time, with the spiritual ambition to be faithful to the task God has given us. Most of us will not be kings or people of authority, but even a door keeper who has been faithful is worthy of praise and honor. I pray that our lives will matter for God and for His Kingdom so people will recognize His power in our lives.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Chronicles 36 and Ezra 1-2.