Acts of Devotion

0:00The other events of Josiah's reign and his Acts of Devotion are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. 2 Chronicles 35, verse 26 and 27. Welcome to today's encouragement from our daily bread. Acts of Devotion was written by Tim Gustafson and read by Stephen Taber. 2 Chronicles 35, verses 20 through 27. After all this, when Josiah had set the temple in order, Nico, King of Egypt, went up to fight at Carcomish on the Euphrates, and Josiah marched out to meet him in battle. But Nico sent messengers to him, saying, What quarrel is there, King of Judah, between you and me? It is not you I am attacking at this time, but the house with which I am at war. God had told me to hurry, so stop opposing God who was with me, or he will destroy you. Josiah, however, would not turn away from him, but disguised himself to engage him in battle.

1:06He would not listen to what Nico had said at God's command, but went to fight him on the plane of Maguito. Archers shot King Josiah, and he told his officers, Take me away, I am badly wounded. So they took him out of his chariot, put him in his other chariot, and brought him to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried in the tombs of his ancestors, in all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him. Jeremiah composed laments for Josiah, and to this day all the male and female singers commemorate Josiah in the laments. These became tradition in Israel, and are written in the laments. The other events of Josiah's reign and his acts of devotion in accordance with what is written in the law of the Lord, all the events from beginning to end are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. Acts of devotion written by Tim Gustafson.

2:07Like all early departures from this life, Joe's death shocked those who knew him. Just before he died, he had begun making poor decisions. Now, this husband, father, coach, and youth leader would no longer be there for those who'd relied on him. It's easy to focus on Jos' recent bad choices, yet when his daughter spoke at his funeral, she rightly highlighted how her dad, though flawed like all of us, had served Jesus with his life. We find something similar in the story of Judah's king Josiah in 2 Chronicles. When Egypt's king Niko mounted a military offensive against Babylon, Josiah foolishly marched out to meet him in battle. Niko had no intention of attacking Judah, and Josiah's intervention ignored God's command. It cost him his life. Though Josiah finished unwisely, the prophet Jeremiah composed laments for Josiah.

3:09The story concludes, the other events of Josiah's reign and his acts of devotion are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. Acts of devotion. A timely epitaph for an untimely death. It's good to ponder the Apostle Paul's words in Romans chapter 8. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. As we consider how our Heavenly Father sees us in Christ, it's easy to recall the acts of devotion done by His children who've left us. Let's pray. Lord, thank You so much for not just seeing us in our worst moments, but in our fully redeemed state. When we think of those we've lost, help us hold on to the promise that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. May the truth of that motivate us to remain faithful to You to the very end.

4:13Thank You, Lord. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. As you go about your day, reflect on these questions. Who have you lost to death? What acts of devotion might you recall in memory of them?