King of all kings

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Can you imagine the eyes of the LORD scanning the earth – looking for a heart that is completely His so that He can fully support and strengthen the person? What a beautiful picture of the intimacy of God!

I have had the pleasure of studying and reading about the kings of Judah for the last several days. There are two kings that I have enjoyed learning about - one is king Josiah.  At the very young and tender age of eight, Josiah became king of Judah! As he reigned in this position, he already was aware of the spiritual sickness in his land. This was his reaction when the Book of God’s Law was read to him:

“As the Book of God’s Law was read to Josiah for the first time, he was shocked, frightened, and humbled. He realized what a great gap existed between his efforts to lead his people to God and God’s expectations for His chosen nation. He was overwhelmed by God’s holiness and immediately tried to expose his people to that holiness” (NIV Bible Commentary).

Although Josiah’s father and grandfather were exceptionally wicked, when Josiah became king and came face to face with the Word of God, he sought after God with all his might! He made drastic changes and the Bible says that there was no king like him!

Here is why he was honored by God as the most obedient king:

“His obedience followed this pattern: (1) he recognized sin; (2) he eliminated sinful practices; (3) he attacked the cause of sin. Not only must we remove sinful actions, we must also eliminate causes of sin — those situations, relationships, routines, and patterns of life that lead us to the door of temptation” (NIV Bible Commentary).

God made sure that king Josiah will forever be known as the most obedient king – God loves to give honor where honor is due! This is what the Word of God says about king Josiah:

“Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him” (2 Kings 23:25).

There is another king that God honored – it was king Hezekiah. King Hezekiah was also a king of Judah and was the great-grandfather of king Josiah.

King Hezekiah was a king with a powerful prayer life and he had a personal close relationship with God. Hezekiah was aware of the people’s lack of trust in God and made efforts to boldly clean house.

One particular time in king Hezekiah’s reign that shows his great trust in God, was when the king of Assyria came as an enemy against the people of Judah. Hezekiah knew that there is a greater King than the king of Assyria. He prayed to the Lord with complete trust and childlike faith in God’s ability to deliver and God answered his prayer favorably.

This is what the Word of God says about king Hezekiah:

“He trusted in the LORD God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, or who were before him. For he held fast to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him…” (2 Kings 18:5-6).

“Both Josiah and Hezekiah are praised for their reverence towards God. Hezekiah was said to be the greatest in trusting God (faith), while Josiah is said to be greatest in following the law of God (obedience)” (NIV Bible Commentary).

How do we want to be remembered?

Are we like king Josiah and deeply humbled to lead people to the true God as we see this world living contrary to His Holy Word? Do we trust God with all of our heart like King Hezekiah in spite of our current circumstances? Do we trust that there is a greater King named Jesus Christ?!

The Good News is this: We do not have to be a king of a nation to change the world around us. We can start making a difference for God right where we are! Let's start with our own families - or at our work place - or even at the market places we visit!

Oh LORD, may our lives bring You, the King of all kings honor!  May we be known as people who love You, trust You and obey You with ALL of our hearts!