2024_06_03 Insight Post- Kim Feld
This week’s reading- 2 Kings 22:1, 2 Chronicles 34-35
Josiah is a remarkable character in the Old Testament. He became king as a child (only 8 years old!) and led Judah to return to God, renounce idolatry, and restore the Temple. The Books of the Law given to Moses were found during the Temple’s restoration. Josiah led the people to return to God and the way of life outlined for them.
Josiah had many admirable character traits to emulate. Still, his willingness to do hard things stood out the most to me from his story. It could not have been easy for such a young man to lead the change that he did, but Josiah knew God and allowed Him to work through his life. We don’t get a hint of complacency from his story.
From a human standpoint, Josiah could have taken the easy route and left things status quo. But he didn’t; he chose to do hard things, knowing God was with him. I’ve been stuck on this thought as I’ve applied it to my life. Am I willing to do hard things, or do I allow complacency to rule?
Every single human being is called to some hard thing during the course of their lives. It could be work or career-related, or it could be personal in nature. Still, none of us escape difficulty in life on some level. As I ponder Josiah’s story, I see an incremental element to it. He began seeking God eight years after he became king (so, age 16), and then four years later, he began to purge the region of idolatry. Six years after that, he began to purify the land and Temple. As I read this, it makes sense to me that as his relationship and knowledge of God deepened, his ability and capacity to do more increased. Could it be that God’s assignments got bigger as Josiah gave more and more of himself to God to use?
Are we faithful in doing the little daily “hard” things that come our way? Being truthful when it would be easier to tell a little “white lie,” keeping our cool when someone cuts us off on the road, or refusing to join in the office or friend group gossip. Why would God trust us with real hard things when we struggle with being faithful with the small ones?
I am a witness to some friends who are doing hard things well. They are choosing to see that God has entrusted them with what they are going through and clinging to Him instead of believing He has punished or abandoned them. I am in awe and pray regularly for their strength and perseverance. If we are connected to Him, our weakness is covered by His strength.
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NIV)
Kim Feld
Executive Director of Education and Outreach