It is a simple reality that many times the most important things in life are simply forgotten. During the years of Israelβs many kings, a pattern of turning away from the Lord to false gods persisted. But that changed with one king. Once King Josiah ascended the throne, βhe did that which was right in the sight of the Lordβ (II Kings 22:2). βAnd like unto him there was no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his mightβ (II KingsΒ 23:25). Josiah became a spiritual reformer, ridding the land of false worship, sinful practices, and leading the nation back to the proper, exclusive worship of Jehovah.
This spiritual revival began at the beginning of Josiahβs reign and was built on one primary incident. Josiah instructed trusted people to make needed repairs in Israelβs house of worship, the temple, which had been neglected for many years. In the process of making these repairs, Hilkiah the high priest made an important discovery. He reported back to King Josiah, βI have found the book of the law in the house of the Lordβ (II Kings 22:8). Amazingly, Godβs chosen and blessed people, Israel, had been without Godβs Word for decades. It had been absent in their times of worship, in their homes, in their conversations, in their work place, and in their lives, AND NOBODY EVEN MISSED IT.
Over and over in the Old Testament, the Lord instructed Israel to build their lives around the Scriptures. They were to write portions of it on their door posts, read it daily, diligently teach it to their children, and make it a topic of conversation as they went about their day (Deut. 11:18-20).Β How could it be that Godβs own people could be without Godβs Word and not even miss it? No doubt the answer is through a growing neglect of the Scriptures, disinterest in spiritual things, and preoccupation with temporal things, resulting in a cold callousness toward the Lord. Itβs a dangerous pattern and a dangerous place to be.
Could we today, who know Christ as Savior, come to a place where we have little or none of Godβs Word in our lives and never even miss it?Β Absolutely,and it happens all the time.Β The same pattern that plagued Israel persists today.Β We are easily distracted and preoccupied with the temporal distractions of this world.Β Neglecting time in the Scriptures, or not applying it to our daily lives and conversations, can lead to a growing disinterest in the things of the Lord.Β It may be easier to see this in someone elseβs life than in our own, but this danger is very real for all of us.
What should each of us do to avoid this from happening to us?Β The first thing is to be awakened to our need to make God and His Word preeminent in our lives. Just as Israel was to read it daily, constantly discuss it, and make it the central part of their worship, so it should be for us. This principle is just as needed today as it was for Israel. The Apostle Paul tells us to βhold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and loveβ (II Tim.Β 1:13). Godβs Word in our lives is our life line to good spiritual health so βdonβt leave home without itβ and make it a topic of conversation with family and Christian friends. Finally, donβt neglect the place of worship where Godβs Word is rightly divided and where the primary doctrines of grace are recognized to be found in the letters of the Apostle Paul. source
