We are excited to feature a devotional, book review or testimony ~ a “Devotional Spotlight”, written by a woman in our ministry throughout the month. We hope you are blessed in reading Susan’s devotional!
“Lost and Found”
One day, little Anna came bouncing into our room. She had an infectious smile, a twinkle in her eye, and wispy hair with a big pink bow. It was easy to smile at her. As she bounced in she said, “Daddy, we are the Loser Family!” Smile gone. Heart sank. Not what you want your child to believe and experience about your family. Quickly Tom asked for clarification. “Anna, why do you think we are the Loser Family?” trying not to sound wounded. “Well,” she said in a matter of fact way, “because we are always losing things!” And she was exactly right.
Losing things can be frustrating, time-consuming, costly, occasionally funny, but sometimes losing things can be devastating.
This summer, as I was reading the Old Testament, I was reminded of a time of devastating loss.
The nation of Israel had been torn apart; a divided kingdom, no longer walking as a light to the nations, but mingling with the darkness of those around them. The beauty of the temple had been marred by the garish, gruesome, perverse worship of the neighboring pagans. Their holy, loving and true God had been relegated to take His place among the cruel, unpredictable, unsatisfied manmade gods of the day. In 2 Kings 22:1 Josiah, the 8-year-old king, begins his reign in Judah, following his evil father Amon and his notoriously evil grandfather Manasseh. Josiah, the child king would be different. God always has a remnant–2 Kings 22:2 says of Josiah, “And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord….”
When Josiah was having repairs done on the temple later in his reign, Hilikiah, the priest found the book of the Law. The people, God’s chosen people, had lost the Word! The secretary, who gave the book to Josiah said “Hilikiah has given me a book.” A BOOK! It was THE book, but he didn’t even know. The Word had been lost and the believing people, not the pagans, had lost their way. They had subjected themselves to pointless, destructive, religious ritual. No longer did they know the rest and peace of God’s life giving presence. And as a people, they were on the brink of destruction because of their disobedience to God’s commands. The Word had been lost!
As I read and reread this story, it seemed so hard to believe–losing the God-breathed scripture? It was easy to sit in judgment of these ancient people. After all God had done for them, all the miracles and provision, how could they turn aside from His loving instruction? Then the question became, what about me? What is the condition in the temple of my heart? How many days have I erected an altar to the god of worry, fear, doubt or comparison? When has the Bible been just “A” book to me when I was looking for a quick answer or something to make me feel good? How has a hurried and busy schedule caused me to push aside my time with God to worship at the altar of the urgent? I found myself in company with these ancient people, so I eagerly read the rest of the story.
King Josiah reads the Word that had once been lost and now is found. He tears his clothes in sorrow and repentance. He believes and obeys it. He courageously calls the people of Judah back to its life-giving truths. They celebrate in holy worship. God’s hand of destruction is stayed. Life is restored in Judah for that day.
The grace and mercy of God welcomes me back. He takes His rightful place in the temple of my heart, and I am changed. What has been lost is now found.
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart…more to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold. Psalm 19:7,8,10
