I've been spending a lot of time going through the Old Testament this summer. When going through the two books of Kings and the two books of Chronicles, all the mess-ups in Israel's history are a little overwhelming sometimes. The people seemed like they went out of their way to find ways to anger God. But perhaps one of the causes of those centuries of disobedience is rooted in their neglect of the Old Testament, or, the Book of the Law as it was called at that point. Finally, after a string of failed leaders and horrible kings, a young king by the name of Josiah shows up. He was just eight years old when we took the throne, but his child-like innocence and the humility that comes with youth may have been just the thing Israel needed. He spent his early years devoting himself to God and getting reacquainted with the Lord that his nation had been neglecting for so long. When Josiah reached the age of 28 he decided to do some repairs on the temple, which also had been neglected and was starting to look shabby over the years. During the renovations, the priests uncovered a dusty old book—the Book of the Law. They took the book to King Josiah and read it to him, and his heart shattered.
"When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes" - 2 Chronicles 34:19
Josiah's spiritual life had just been injected with caffeine. Though he had been a good "church kid"—living a good life in comparison to the rest of Israel and had no major obvious sins—when he stood up against the perfect Law of God, Josiah felt the enormity of his guilt. This conviction sent him into a time of mourning, tearing his robes, and ultimately, repentance and re-dedication.
God's response to Josiah's humility and mournfulness is nothing short of beautiful.
"Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God ... and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord." - 2 Chronicles 34:27
Throughout scripture God has always loves the contrite, those who genuinely repent and grieve over their sins.
I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. - Isaiah 57:15
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. - Psalm 51:17
This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word. - Isaiah 66:2
Modern Christianity has reduced the gospel and simplified it to the point that it's lost a lot of its meaning. Its often preached that the ticket to salvation is merely to recite a magic prayer, check a box or raise a hand. But God wants the heart, fully and completely for Himself. Some argue that this sort of devotion is hard, and it is. It's supposed to be. Jesus told us it would be hard, and He's okay with that. He wants devoted followers.
On hearing [the teaching], many of His disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" ... From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him." - John 6:60, 66
Jesus never ran after them or badgered them to stick with Him. He didn't simplify or water down His message to make it easier. If people aren't ready to humble themselves, lay down their lives, and offer all of themselves to God, He will wait.
We have the blessing of living on this side of the cross. Our sins have been done away with. When we feel that crushing conviction, we know our savior has bore the punishment for us. Though like Josiah, we can still reflect on the other side of the cross to renew our devotion to God. When we start to forget about Christ's sacrifice, go back and read the Old Testament and be reminded of why we needed the cross. When worship becomes stale and routine, read the Old Testament and realize that God has spared us from that punishment and we can't help but worship Him. And when our walk with God becomes lukewarm and we become spiritually drowsy, inject the Old Testament caffeine straight into your heart and come alive again by God's Spirit.
When people come face-to-face with God's word, like Josiah did, our lives get re-focused on God. The twelve apostles spent every day with Jesus and were surrounded by God's word in human form. They too, were changed. In the above passage from John 6 when the other disciples abandoned Jesus, He asked the twelve apostles if they were going to leave too. They gave the answer that I pray I will give for the rest of eternity:
"Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" - John 6:68
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