Isn’t it wonderful to read of the good things that happen when a brilliant reformer like Josiah appears on the scene? To recap quickly; He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord (v.2), He sought the Lord (v.3). He purged Israel of unholy things (v. 3-7). He repaired the temple (v.9-13). He found the book of the law and had it read. (v.14-20) He made everyone in Israel pledge to uphold the law going forward (v.32-33).

Aside from the fact that Josiah started this amazing journey at the age of 8 his sense of what needed to be done seems to have grown throughout his lifetime and his reign as King of Israel. His maturity as a leader and as someone who understood what it meant to be a leader who knew the importance of being in relationship with God is nothing short of extraordinary.

I’m not a King and I’m going to hazard a small guess that it’s unlikely that anyone reading this will be a monarch either so none of us need to do the things that Josiah had to do. At least not on a national level anyway. However, it is a good thing to do a little auditing from time to time. It’s good to ask ourselves a few questions to make sure that everything in our lives is as healthy as it ought to be. Here are a few things to think about to start with:

• Are you spending time reading the bible?
• Do you spend time praying?
• When you’ve made mistakes or have wilfully done the wrong things do you repent?
• Are you making a point of loving your neighbours (friends, work colleagues, actual neighbours and extended family) as much as you love yourself?
• Do you love yourself?
• What do the words love, forgiveness and repentance mean to you in real terms?
• Do you need to be reformed?

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Action:

Take a little time to carry out an audit of your spiritual life today and make some changes where you need to. Create some good habits, set reminders to pray and read the bible if you need to and stop doing the things you know you shouldn’t be doing.

Prayer:

Lord God help each of us to be better and to live better for You and for each other. In Jesus’ name. Amen.