Alive by His Found Word

Have YOU found His Word – opened, read, heard, and digested it? His “found” Word causes one’s life to start truly living. His “found” Word results in life changes – in attitudes and character. His “found” Word produces the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, and peace. His “found” Word stirs a desire to worship the Lord – celebrating Him from the heart. His “found” Word motivates the building of His Kingdom – not of individuals.

A young, energetic boy races through the courtyard throwing rocks and playing hide and seek with his siblings and friends. Suddenly, those around him bow, while others escort him to a throne. The eight year old, youngest king of Jerusalem, Josiah, does not live and reign as his father, Amon. Josiah pleases the Lord determining what is right.

Former kings and priests neglected to worship the One True God. The paradox of Israel’s unceasing idolatry, along with seeking God’s will from the prophets, led Jeremiah, the prophet of the day, to persist in his denunciations against Israel. Israel’s misconstrued ideas of adding Jehovah God to their idol worship landed the people and the temple in absolute dismay and chaos.

Since true worship had diminished, the Temple of the Lord stood in need of restoration. In Josiah’s eighteenth year as king, he summoned the high priest, Hilkiah, to supervise the Temple’s restoration. Carpenters and builders restored what earlier kings had brought to ruin.

During the restoration, the priest, Hilkiah, found a book in the Temple. He opened the book realizing he had “found” the Book of the Law, written by Moses. He shouted, “I have found the Book of the Law in the LORD’S Temple,” 2 Kings 22:8. Hilkiah handed the scroll to Shaphan, the court secretary, who opened the scroll and read it to Josiah. Repentance and remorse gripped the king, now age twenty-six. Falling to his knees, he wept intensely, seizing the nation’s disobedience to God’s Word.

King Josiah summoned orders to seek the prophets concerning the writings in the “found” scroll. The prophetess Huldah, confirmed that God had spoken, “you were sorry and humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this city and its people. You humbled yourself and tore your clothing in despair and wept before me in repentance. I have indeed heard you, says the Lord. I will not send the promised disaster until after you have died,” 2 Kings 22. Upon hearing this message, King Josiah read the entire “found” Book of the Covenant to Israel.

The nation grasped the words in the found book, causing a great celebration. Jeremiah announced, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart,” Jeremiah 15:16 ESV. The “found” words compelled the king to instruct priests to remove articles of idol worship, smash pagan altars, and destroy pagan priests and prostitutes throughout the land. King Josiah decreed, “Celebrate the Passover, prepare sacrifices, strike up the band, and celebrate the Lord. Never had there been such a Passover. None of the kings of Israel had ever kept a Passover as Josiah did,” 2 Kings 23.

Sitting in my sunroom, pondering this account from the Scriptures, the sun’s rays peaked over the rooftop and through the windows. In my mind’s eye, an image of a sword barely touching a piece of fabric sliced the material in two. This picture brought Hebrews 4:12 to mind, “for the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” The image coupled with the Scripture symbolizes how the “found” Word may affect all aspects of life, revealing our need for Christ while simultaneously providing spiritual nourishment.

His “found” Word exists by praying, “Holy Spirit, illuminate an understanding of your Word as I consume it today. Bring fulfillment while nourishing me into your likeness.” With deep satisfaction, respond as Jeremiah, “I found Your Words and I ate them. They became to me a joy and delight, making me alive by Your FOUND Word.”