The story of Israel's kings continues...good king... evil king... good king who seeks the Lord and then evil king. To be honest, as both 1st and 2nd Kings and 1st and 2nd of Chronicles talk about the same kings, I sometimes get a little confused who is who... I wish there was a time-line (perhaps there is, and I just need to find it) of the kings mentioned in both books, so I could keep them straight....
Anyway, today as I read about Josiah being king again, I was impressed of his reaction when the words of God's law was read to him. He actually RENT/or TORE his clothes. In other words, he was so aghast at how they had not been living according to God's Word that he tore his clothes in shame. The Lord shares, through a prophet, that evil is coming to Judah, but this is what the Lord says: "Because thine heart was tender, and thou dost humble thyself before God, when thou hardest his words against this place...and because thou didst rend thy clothes...the evil will not come in your generation." God recognized Josiah's humility and repentance and it made a difference. What a merciful God.
I also appreciated the thought from Psalms 75:6, "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one and setteth up another."
It seems everyone is concerned about promotion... about being ahead, about being at the top, about being the best. But really our job is to be faithful and allow God to do as He will, for His glory. In fact, Ellen White writes the following:
"Let those who feel that their work is not appreciated, and who crave a position of greater responsibility, consider that “promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another.” Psalm 75:6, 7. Every man has his place in the eternal plan of heaven. Whether we fill that place depends upon our own faithfulness in co-operating with God.
We need to beware of self-pity. Never indulge the feeling that you are not esteemed as you should be, that your efforts are not appreciated, that your work is too difficult. Let the memory of what Christ has endured for us silence every murmuring thought. We are treated better than was our Lord. “Seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not.” Jeremiah 45:5. The Lord has no place in His work for those who have a greater desire to win the crown than to bear the cross. He wants men who are more intent upon doing their duty than upon receiving their reward—men who are more solicitous for principle than for promotion.
Those who are humble, and who do their work as unto God, may not make so great a show as do those who are full of bustle and self-importance; but their work counts for more. Often those who make a great parade call attention to self, interposing between the people and God, and their work proves a failure. “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her.” Proverbs 4:7, 8. (Ministry of Healing, p. 476-477)Let's not worry about promotion! Let God take care of that. Our job is to be faithful in the work that lies nearest!
Tomorrow's Reading: 2 Chron. 35-36 and Luke 1:39-80
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