“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction about things not seen… And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would draw near to Him must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who seek Him! (From Hebrews 11:1, 6 ESV)
And my personally crafted definition: Faith is confidence in God… trusting His character, believing and obeying His word, embracing His promises, following His leadership, and drawing upon His encouragement and strength.
An adage we sometimes hear when a son follows in his father’s foolish and sinful ways is… “LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON.” Sometimes it turns out that way (and more often than we would like to admit – almost becomes a trend) – BUT, PRAISE THE LORD, IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY! And the account of Josiah in 2 KINGS 22-23 IN YOUR BIBLE PROVES IT!
Josiah’s grandfather was the incredibly wicked king Manasseh… followed by the equally wicked Amon… You would expected compounded wickedness in Josiah, wouldn’t you, given his legacy?
But no!! The Bible says Josiah “did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight and followed the example of his ancestor David. He did not turn away from doing what was right.” (22.2) And then what follows in the Bible is one of the most thorough records of spiritual reform anyone initiated and led in all of the Bible! Josiah didn’t just “kind’a – sort’a” lead the nation in reform! He did it with dedication, conviction and thoroughness … like a “spiritual pit bull”. (I mean, read it in your Bible! You’ll be impressed!!) In fact the final analysis of Josiah’s reign in 2 Kings 22.25 reads like this… “Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since!”
Wow! Gives me hope!! Sons do NOT have to be like their weak and wicked fathers – a generation can experience revival and be transformed by godly leaders and God’s grace! My prayer? Oh God, turn around the wickedness of our generation! Help a generation of young godly men and women to arise that “beat the odds” and lead our nation back to God and righteousness!! …
Then later this morning during “coffee with the Lord” I read this from Proverbs 21.21… “WHOEVER pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness and honor!” Oh God, give us a generation of young leaders like that with the heart and convictions of Josiah!”
A wonderful “sip” from my time of “Coffee with the Lord” this morning
“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor… One who oppresses the poor to increase their wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich – both come to poverty!” (Proverbs 22:9 & 16 NIV)
Coffee With The Lord 