Before we can believe and obey

The high priest Hilkiah told the court secretary Shaphan, “I have found the book of the law in the Lord’s temple,” and he gave the book to Shaphan, who read it…

Shaphan read it in the presence of the king.

When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes. (2 Kings 22:8, 10-11)

This week, I’ve been reflecting on John 15, and thinking about what it means to have God’s word “remain in us.”

Of course, part of that means to believe and obey God’s words.

But it struck me that there is one more component that must come before we can believe and obey.

We need to know what God has said.

That is clearly seen in today’s story.

It’s amazing to think that things had gotten so bad in God’s temple. How can God’s words get lost…in the temple?

Josiah had a soft heart towards God. That showed in his response once he heard God’s word. He believed God’s words and he would obey them.

But you can’t believe and obey what you don’t know.

Do you know God’s word?

Ignorance is not an excuse before God. Disaster was coming on Judah because of their ignorance.

And we can make a big mess of our lives, in our families, in our relationships, in our finances, in everything, if we don’t believe and obey God’s words.

But again, before you can believe and obey God’s word, you need to know it.

Are you putting the time into knowing God’s word each day?

Or is it “lost” in your house (or smartphone) like it was in the temple?