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First Responders


            The “As then/so now” principle states that past habits are the best predictors of future actions.  In other words, regardless of your dreams or your best intentions, you are likely going to keep doing what you have always done.  King Josiah is an exception to this rule.

            Josiah became king when he was eight years old (2 Chronicles 34:1).  At the age of sixteen he began to seek the God and when he turned twenty he cleared all the idols out of Jerusalem and the surrounding area (verse 3).  At the age of twenty-six, he reopened and repaired the temple in Jerusalem (verse 8). During the renovation, the workers found a book of the law of God and they immediately brought it to the king and read it to him (verses 14-18). 

            Now, many times when this story is told, it is stated that finding the book of the law was the turning point in the life of Josiah.  However, that is not true!  Finding the truth was not the important part.  Rather, it was his reaction to the truth that made the difference.  Josiah “tore his robes” (a sign of sorrow and repentance).  He also sent men to find a prophet who could tell him what to do next (verses 19-21).   To underline this point, God says, “Because your heart was responsive … I have heard you” (verse 27).

            Knowing the truth is not enough.  Most of us know that too much coffee is bad for us and, yet, we still drink too much coffee.  We know that regular exercise is a good idea, but few of us actually exercise.  Most people know that they should have between three and six months’ worth of income saved up, just in case.  However, most people live paycheque to paycheque.   Knowing the truth is good, but it requires a response.

            This has direct application to churches and their work.  Over the years, I have heard people say, “Well, we told them the truth!”   As if to say, “We gave them all the information about God, so we have done our job!”  

            No you have not!

            Nothing will change in our world until we are changed.  People will respond to God’s truth much more quickly when they see God’s people being changed by that truth.  People need examples.  People need to see the truth in action.  Christians need to do more than just talk about the answers, we need to live them.

            Josiah changed his world because he did not just acknowledge the truth.  Rather, he allowed himself to be changed by it and invited others to be changed too.

            Thinking and talking are ok, but God has always worked through those who “do”.

            “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22).

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