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Handling a bad news

"Because your heart was [tender and] penitent and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I said against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation, [an astonishment and] a curse, and you have rent your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you, says the Lord. " 2Kings 22:19

It was indeed a bad news for King Josiah to hear about the wrath of God that is going to come up on his nation. But he responded in a wise manner which brought an answer from God. I am sure we can learn some lessons from this incident.
  1. Be sensitive to God's word: From the above verse, we see that his heart was tender, soft and penitent. He was quick to heed the word of God. He didn't ignore the word that came to him.
  2. Ask the Lord for guidance: When he heard what was written in the book of the Law concerning the wrath of God that is going to come on the nation of Judah, he was quick to seek the guidance from the Lord. Even though it was not his fault, still he was taking the responsibility for his people. This is the heart of an effective leader (Read verse 13). It makes a lot of sense to approach the one who could provide the solution.
  3. Be humble before God: He was humble before God even though he was the king. He understood the place of God in his personal life and in his kingdom.
It was irony that Josiah being a king, took very unconventional approach to handle the situation. He had the power, people and money under his control. But he approached God for the solution.

Being open to God and humble before Him takes away lot of stress from us. We don't have to deal with all those things which are beyond our control.

" ... O blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) are all those who seek refuge and put their trust in Him! " Psalms 2:12

Questions to Ponder
  1. If you are in King Josiah's place, what would have been your response?
  2. Do you recognize the place of God in your life?

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