“The glory of God is a human being fully alive”. Iraneus 

How do we cultivate a passionate faith for God? What does it look like to seek God in a cultural moment that is oftentimes hostile against Christianity? 

1. Renounce Ungodly Limitations 

[2 Kings 22:1] 

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah from Bozkath. 2 He did what was pleasing in the LORD’s sight and followed the example of his ancestor David. He did not turn away from doing what was right. 

[Jeremiah 1:6] 

“O Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” 

[Jeremiah 1:7] 

The LORD replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. 

Renounce the ungodly limitation and replace it with the truth of God. 

2. Resolve To Seek The Lord Wholeheartedly 

[2 Kings 23:3b] 

3 …He pledged to obey the LORD by keeping all his commands, laws, and decrees with all his heart and soul.  

[2 Kings 23:25] 

25 Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since.  

[2 Kings 22:8]     

Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the court secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the LORD’s Temple!” Then Hilkiah gave the scroll to Shaphan, and he read it. 

3. Rediscover What Has Been Lost  

[2 Kings 22:11] 

When the king heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes in despair. 

[2 Kings 23:21]     

King Josiah then issued this order to all the people: “You must celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, as required in this Book of the Covenant.” 22 There had not been a Passover celebration like that since the time when the judges ruled in Israel, nor throughout all the years of the kings of Israel and Judah. 23 But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah’s reign, this Passover was celebrated to the LORD in Jerusalem. 

4. Repent And Destroy The High Places 

2 All his life Joash did what was pleasing in the LORD’s sight because Jehoiada the priest instructed him. 3 Yet even so, he did not destroy the pagan shrines, and the people still offered sacrifices and burned incense there. 

[2 Kings 23:24]     

Josiah also got rid of the mediums and psychics, the household gods, the idols, and every other kind of detestable practice, both in Jerusalem and throughout the land of Judah. He did this in obedience to the laws written in the scroll that Hilkiah the priest had found in the LORD’s Temple. 25 Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since. 

[Jeremiah 3:10] 

10 But despite all this, her faithless sister Judah has never sincerely returned to me. She has only pretended to be sorry. I, the LORD, have spoken!”  

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