Cleaning House

I wrote yesterday of Josiah's responsive heart as he humbled himself before the Lord in repentence after the book of the covenant was discovered in the temple. 2 Kings 23 continues the story and shows how Josiah's responsive heart translated into actions. Perhaps there's something I can learn from what he did.

• He let everybody know. Josiah didn't stop at just himself reading the word. He had the book of the covenant read to all of the people. He knew this was important and was something that he had to share with others.
• He renewed his commitment to God. In verse 3 we see that he renewed the covenant "to follow the LORD and keep his commands, regulations and decrees with all his heart and all his soul." Repentence doesn't just stop at confession, it requires change and commitment.
• He cleaned house. Josiah had the priests remove everything from the temple that was dedicated to foreign gods. They didn't stop at just the temple, they went throughout the land tearing down anything that was dedicated to foreign gods. They weren't just throwing things out - things were "smashed" and "desecrated". Josiah was serious and not concerned with political correctness.
• He didn't throw the baby out with the bathwater. In verses 17 and 18, we read of Josiah encoutering the tomb of a prophet who was a man of God and had prophesied of the cleansing Josiah was doing. Josiah realized that his tombstone could be left intact.

Josiah was serious about cleaning the kingdom of all that was dedicated to foreign gods. He knew that a holy God demanded His people be holy also. He sought to remove all that wasn't dedicated to God and still to retain and preserve all that was dedicated to the true God.

Heavenly Father, help me to know when I need to clean house. Help me to be strong and diligent in removing all that is not dedicated to You. Help me also to preserve and cultivate all in my life that is dedicated to You. For Your glory. Amen.