Once Upon a Time

There once was an 8 year-old boy whose father the King was murdered by his servants at age 24. His father did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. His father had only reigned two years when he met his tragic end. The people of the land executed all those who conspired to kill the King and appointed the King’s 8 year-old son to be the next King of the land. The young King inherited a land worshipping false idols in the House of the LORD and provoked the LORD to Anger. However, this young 8 year-old King did what was right in the sight of the LORD. GOD’S WORD states the young King “did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.”

Now at age 18, the young King instructed the money gathered in the temple to be used to fix up the temple and instructed those in charge of the money to give to the workers without accounting for the money. In response to these instructions, the chief priest sent a message to the King stating that the Book of the Law had been found in the House of the LORD. The King’s scribe read the Book of the Law and the King tore his clothes in dismay knowing that the people had not followed GOD’s Laws. So the King asked the High Priest to “inquire of the LORD to do according to all that is written concerning the people.” The LORD answered that HIS wrath will be executed on the people for their insolence and their dissidence. However, the LORD favored the young King for his tender heart and his humility before the LORD. The LORD heard the young King and promised him that he would not see the calamity against his people, but will be with his fathers (dead).

If I ended the story now, this would be a good story. To recognize at 8 years-old, what is right in the LORD’s Eyes without ever reading GOD’S Holy Word is very refreshing. And after ruling for 10 years, this young King heard the Book of the Law read and his heart was filled with shame, symbolized by the tearing of his clothes and he immediately inquired of the LORD the punishment for breaking the Laws. This King was not thinking of himself or his treasures. No, this King feared for his people, as he learned that his kingdom was practicing evil and had turned its back on the LORD. This King loved and feared the LORD. This King was so young and yet so wise. Although innocent through ignorance, this King made no excuses for their wrong doings and immediately recognized GOD’S Law as sovereign. The LORD knew this young King’s heart and GOD’S grace was given to this King because He honored the LORD.

However, this story doesn’t end there. For you see, the Young King now knew that the people were worshipping idols and these abominations were located in prominent places throughout the kingdom, even in the LORD’S Temple. The King gathered the priests, prophets and all the people to have the Book of the Covenant read before them. Then the King stood before the LORD and made a covenant to stand for all that is written in GOD’S Word. And all the people took a stand, alongside their King. Then the King ordered the Priests to remove all idols from the LORD’S House, to go in the high places and destroy the idols by fire, scattering the ashes across the graves of the people. In addition, all the dedicated items to their false gods were destroyed and the land was cleansed of their evil. The King even resumed the Passover celebration, which had not occurred in a very long time. This King was truly a man after the LORD’S own heart. This young King has taught us all how to respond when we learn we have failed the LORD.

First, we must read GOD’S Word daily.  To better understand our responsibility to our Heavenly FATHER, we must first understand the Book of the Law and the covenants we have with HIM.

Second, with a tender heart we must humble ourselves before the LORD and repent of our sins. To recognize where we have failed the LORD in our daily walk and to feel the shame of letting our Heavenly FATHER down.

Third, we must stand before the LORD and make a commitment to turn from our wicked ways, by removing all evidence of our sin (idols) and returning to the LORD’S ways. We must truly “clean up” the wrong and remove the temptations that leads us to sin.

And finally, our age should never be an excuse. This young boy was forced to be King at 8 years-old, yet he knew what was right and wrong. He did not make excuses that he was too young to know any better. And as the King grew physically, he also grew wiser and listened to his heart on matters of the LORD. Upon hearing the Book of the Law, the King recognized their violations and immediately repented. This King didn’t blame those before him and certainly did not accept “that’s the way it’s always been.”  No, this King immediately recognized their wrong and made amends to make it right. This King removed all the evil stumbling blocks and did not worry what the world would think.

It is time to turn from our evil ways. Respond to HIS WORD, when it speaks to you. Respond with fervor, turning to the LORD and repenting. If you are willing to change, I challenge you to read about this young king in 2 Kings chapter 22 and be ready/willing to do something.