August 5th
Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 23, 2 Chronicles 35, John 7
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Scripture Focus:
“Then the king instructed Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second rank and the Temple gatekeepers to remove from the Lord’s Temple all the articles that were used to worship Baal, Asherah, and all the powers of the heavens. The king had all these things burned outside Jerusalem on the terraces of the Kidron Valley, and he carried the ashes away to Bethel.”
— 2 Kings 23:4 NLT
“The king took his place of authority beside the pillar and renewed the covenant in the Lord’s presence. He pledged to obey the Lord by keeping all his commands, laws, and decrees with all his heart and soul. In this way, he confirmed all the terms of the covenant that were written in the scroll, and all the people pledged themselves to the covenant.”
— 2 Kings 23:3 NLT
⸻
Reflection:
There’s an intentional pattern in Josiah’s actions that we can’t miss:
1.The Word of God is read.
The scroll is found and read aloud. God’s Word confronts sin and reveals His standard.
2.It’s time to clean house.
Josiah doesn’t just feel bad; he acts. He smashes, burns, and removes everything that opposes God — idols, mediums, false altars, and detestable practices (2 Kings 23:24).
3.A covenant of obedience is made.
Josiah publicly pledges to keep God’s commands with all his heart and soul — and the people join him.
4.They celebrate.
Josiah restores worship and instructs the Levites: “Put the holy Ark in the Temple… Now spend your time serving the Lord your God and His people” (2 Chronicles 35:3).
This is a beautiful picture of what happens when we truly encounter God’s Word:
•First, we hear it.
•Then, we remove what doesn’t belong.
•Next, we walk in obedience.
•Finally, we worship and serve out of gratitude.
This is our call today. As the New Testament says, we are now priests and kings in Christ (Revelation 1:6). Like Josiah, our response to God’s Word is to clear out what opposes Him and wholeheartedly serve the Lord.
⸻
New Testament Connection:
In John 7, we see a contrast:
•The Jewish leaders, who were supposed to know the Scriptures best, missed Jesus entirely (John 7:1, 12).
•While they debated His identity, “While Jesus was teaching in the Temple, he called out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I come from. But I’m not here on my own. The one who sent me is true, and you don’t know him. But I know him because I come from him, and he sent me to you.””
John 7:28-29 NLT
How tragic — the very ones who claimed to know God didn’t truly know Him. They had Scripture in their hands but never let it transform their hearts. Their religion had become an outward show, and as a result, they completely missed the One the Scriptures had been pointing to all along.
⸻
Digging Deeper:
•“Destroyed” (Hebrew: shāmad) — to annihilate, wipe out completely. Josiah didn’t leave anything standing that opposed God.
•“Smashed” (Hebrew: dākāʾ) — to crush to pieces. This shows the totality of Josiah’s repentance; no idol could be left intact.
•“Renewed” (Hebrew: ḥāḏaš) — to make new, to restore. This covenant renewal wasn’t just reform; it was a fresh, wholehearted surrender to God.
⸻
Lesson for Me:
When God’s Word is read, I can’t stay neutral. I am accountable to respond.
•What needs to be smashed or removed in my life?
•Am I renewing my commitment to live fully for Him?
•Does my life show gratitude through service and worship?
⸻
Application Questions:
1.What “idols” (habits, attitudes, or distractions) do I need to remove to walk in full obedience to God?
2.In what ways can I renew my covenant with the Lord today?
3.How can I serve God and His people this week out of gratitude for all He’s done?
4.Am I truly hearing and obeying God’s Word, or just going through the motions like the religious leaders in John 7?
⸻
Prayer:
🙏 Lord, thank You for the gift of Your Word. Like Josiah, help me to hear it, act on it, and clear out anything that keeps me from full obedience. Renew my heart to love You with all my soul, and let my service to You flow from deep gratitude for all You’ve done. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
⸻
Quiet Reflection & Journaling:
Now sit quietly before the Lord. Ask Him to reveal any “idols” in your life — things that compete for His place in your heart. Journal what He shows you, and write down a prayer of renewed surrender and gratitude.
Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 23, 2 Chronicles 35, John 7
⸻
Scripture Focus:
“Then the king instructed Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second rank and the Temple gatekeepers to remove from the Lord’s Temple all the articles that were used to worship Baal, Asherah, and all the powers of the heavens. The king had all these things burned outside Jerusalem on the terraces of the Kidron Valley, and he carried the ashes away to Bethel.”
— 2 Kings 23:4 NLT
“The king took his place of authority beside the pillar and renewed the covenant in the Lord’s presence. He pledged to obey the Lord by keeping all his commands, laws, and decrees with all his heart and soul. In this way, he confirmed all the terms of the covenant that were written in the scroll, and all the people pledged themselves to the covenant.”
— 2 Kings 23:3 NLT
⸻
Reflection:
There’s an intentional pattern in Josiah’s actions that we can’t miss:
1.The Word of God is read.
The scroll is found and read aloud. God’s Word confronts sin and reveals His standard.
2.It’s time to clean house.
Josiah doesn’t just feel bad; he acts. He smashes, burns, and removes everything that opposes God — idols, mediums, false altars, and detestable practices (2 Kings 23:24).
3.A covenant of obedience is made.
Josiah publicly pledges to keep God’s commands with all his heart and soul — and the people join him.
4.They celebrate.
Josiah restores worship and instructs the Levites: “Put the holy Ark in the Temple… Now spend your time serving the Lord your God and His people” (2 Chronicles 35:3).
This is a beautiful picture of what happens when we truly encounter God’s Word:
•First, we hear it.
•Then, we remove what doesn’t belong.
•Next, we walk in obedience.
•Finally, we worship and serve out of gratitude.
This is our call today. As the New Testament says, we are now priests and kings in Christ (Revelation 1:6). Like Josiah, our response to God’s Word is to clear out what opposes Him and wholeheartedly serve the Lord.
⸻
New Testament Connection:
In John 7, we see a contrast:
•The Jewish leaders, who were supposed to know the Scriptures best, missed Jesus entirely (John 7:1, 12).
•While they debated His identity, “While Jesus was teaching in the Temple, he called out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I come from. But I’m not here on my own. The one who sent me is true, and you don’t know him. But I know him because I come from him, and he sent me to you.””
John 7:28-29 NLT
How tragic — the very ones who claimed to know God didn’t truly know Him. They had Scripture in their hands but never let it transform their hearts. Their religion had become an outward show, and as a result, they completely missed the One the Scriptures had been pointing to all along.
⸻
Digging Deeper:
•“Destroyed” (Hebrew: shāmad) — to annihilate, wipe out completely. Josiah didn’t leave anything standing that opposed God.
•“Smashed” (Hebrew: dākāʾ) — to crush to pieces. This shows the totality of Josiah’s repentance; no idol could be left intact.
•“Renewed” (Hebrew: ḥāḏaš) — to make new, to restore. This covenant renewal wasn’t just reform; it was a fresh, wholehearted surrender to God.
⸻
Lesson for Me:
When God’s Word is read, I can’t stay neutral. I am accountable to respond.
•What needs to be smashed or removed in my life?
•Am I renewing my commitment to live fully for Him?
•Does my life show gratitude through service and worship?
⸻
Application Questions:
1.What “idols” (habits, attitudes, or distractions) do I need to remove to walk in full obedience to God?
2.In what ways can I renew my covenant with the Lord today?
3.How can I serve God and His people this week out of gratitude for all He’s done?
4.Am I truly hearing and obeying God’s Word, or just going through the motions like the religious leaders in John 7?
⸻
Prayer:
🙏 Lord, thank You for the gift of Your Word. Like Josiah, help me to hear it, act on it, and clear out anything that keeps me from full obedience. Renew my heart to love You with all my soul, and let my service to You flow from deep gratitude for all You’ve done. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
⸻
Quiet Reflection & Journaling:
Now sit quietly before the Lord. Ask Him to reveal any “idols” in your life — things that compete for His place in your heart. Journal what He shows you, and write down a prayer of renewed surrender and gratitude.