2 Chronicles 34:8-18 (Click to read NIV or select your preferred translation of the Bible. Please read the scripture first.)

King Josiah didn’t stop with tearing down the evil high places where the people made sacrifices to foreign gods; he also had it in his heart to restore Solomon’s temple.

There had been so many wicked kings since the time of King David. Even King Solomon had allowed the high places to be established to please his foreign wives. The great temple that Solomon had built had long since become a pile of ruins. 

Josiah chose three men to put in motion plans to restore the temple. The people had been taxed to fund the project, and willingly they brought all the funds needed for the restoration. The Levites supervised everything.

An important discovery was made while the temple was being built. Hilkiah, the priest found the copy of the Book of the Law that Moses had given to the Israelites. The men brought the book to King Josiah who was eager to hear what it said.

Josiah was sold out to God. Even as a youth he saw the evils in his day and set out with resolve to make changes. He saw what needed tearing down AND he saw what needed to be built up. It was in the process of building up – of restoring the temple – that the holy scriptures which had long since been forgotten were brought to light.

This is but one more example of God’s faithfulness to his promises. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (NIV)

How close is your relationship with God? It is likely to be in direct proportion to the amount of effort you are putting into seeking him. Are you, like Josiah, sold out for God? Or have you pulled yourself into your own world with blinders firmly attached? Are you seeking a closer walk with God, or are you satisfied with lesser gods of busy-ness and wealth.

Almighty God, break down the barriers we have allowed to separate us from being sold out for you. Cause us to lose our desire for lesser things that push you out of our thinking. Awaken the hunger that you have placed in our hearts; make it gnaw away at us until we take definite steps to draw closer to you in daily study and prayer. Put new life into our daily walk that we may be salt and light that draws others around us to seek you.

Copyright © 2008 by Janice Green

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.