Sep 6, 2024
The 2024 edition of Our Best Thought is inspired by our 2024 Bible Reading Plan and features writings thoughtfully crafted by contributors reflecting on their daily devotions. “Our Best Thought“ is taken from the hymn, “Be Thou My Vision” as a reference to God: “Thou my best thought, by day or by night.”
Reading: 2 Kings 23:1-25
Scripture:
2 Kings 23:4-5
4 The king ordered Hilkiah the high priest, the priests next in rank, and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the Lord all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the starry hosts. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron Valley and took the ashes to Bethel. 5 He did away with the idolatrous priests appointed by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the towns of Judah and those around Jerusalem—those who burned incense to Baal, the sun and moon, the constellations, and all the starry hosts.
Observation:
After King Josiah found the Book of the Law (2 Kings 22), he read it publicly to the people and was moved to obey immediately and wholeheartedly. He renewed his covenant with God and led the nation to recommit themselves as well. Following this, he took decisive action to cleanse the land of idolatry. He destroyed the articles of Baal and Asherah, removed the idolatrous priests, demolished Topheth (used for child sacrifices to Molech), and obliterated all the altars and shrines erected by previous kings.
Application:
This passage emphasizes the importance of responding to convictions promptly and thoroughly. When we recognize things in our lives that lead us away from God or cause us to sin, it’s essential to take immediate action to remove them. Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:30, “If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away,” reminds us that dealing with sin requires decisive measures. It is not enough to simply study God’s Word or share it with others; we must also cleanse our hearts and lives of anything that hinders our relationship with God or encourages sin in others.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercy and patience with us. We ask for the strength and resolve to respond swiftly when we feel convicted of sin in our lives. Help us to remove anything that draws us away from You, and guide us to act with wisdom and discernment when faced with temptation. May we be diligent in our walk with You, continually seeking to grow in faith and Christlikeness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.