LENT SERIES: Josiah—Pierced to the Heart

Have you ever had a time when God’s voice has pierced your heart?

2 Samuel 22 & 23

As we approach Easter, what are the things God is bringing to light that is piercing your heart and needs to be torn down.

Looking back over my years, there have been particular moments where I have been convicted, “pierced to the heart”. I have needed to confess and be accountable before others. Each time, there has been pain, vulnerability, and shame, but also release, freedom, growth, and accountability. As I have been pierced to the heart, my only reasonable response has been repentance. Realigning the compass again to follow Jesus. I’m sure there will be more realigning to be done before I see him face to face.

In our story today, Josiah, a young king since the age of eight, has been seeking to follow God and bring his kingdom of Judah back to the Lord. It says in 2 Kings 22:2 “He did right in the eyes of the Lord and followed the ways of his father David.” Many God honouring reforms occurred. But during the eighteenth year of his reign, something profound happened that pierced his heart. As the temple was being repaired, the high priest Hilkiah found the Book of the Law (The Torah or maybe just Deuteronomy) and this was brought to the King.

Then Shaphan the secretary informed the King, ’Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.’ And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king. When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes…..Great is the LORD’S anger that burns against us because those who have gone before us have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us. (2 Kings 22:10-11,13b)

What followed was repentance, not only of Josiah, but also of the nation. Josiah’s repentance was acknowledged by God who saw his responsive heart and his humility. Josiah called the people together and renewed his covenant with the Lord and the people also pledged themselves to the covenant. They repented as a nation, destroyed the pagan high places and altars, and followed the Lord.

As we approach Easter, what are the things God is bringing to light that is piercing your heart and needs to be torn down. Come in repentance, believe He can bring change, and step into freedom with the Lord.

God bless.

Pastor Stephen