A Sinner Undone!

SCRIPTURE

2 Chronicles 34:22-33 (NRSV)

Huldah preaches the covenant

So Hilkiah and those whom the king had sent went to the prophet Huldah, the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe (who lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter) and spoke to her to that effect. She declared to them, "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Tell the man who sent you to me, Thus says the Lord: I will indeed bring disaster upon this place and upon its inhabitants, all the curses that are written in the book that was read before the king of Judah. Because they have forsaken me and have made offerings to other gods, so that they have provoked me to anger with all the works of their hands, my wrath will be poured out on this place and will not be quenched. But as to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, thus shall you say to him: Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard, because your heart was penitent and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and its inhabitants, and you have humbled yourself before me, and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, says the Lord. I will gather you to your ancestors and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace; your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring on this place and its inhabitants." They took the message back to the king.

Then the king sent word and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. The king went up to the house of the Lord, with all the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the Levites, all the people both great and small; he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant that had been found in the house of the Lord. The king stood in his place and made a covenant before the Lord, to follow the Lord, keeping his commandments, his decrees, and his statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book. Then he made all who were present in Jerusalem and in Benjamin pledge themselves to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem acted according to the covenant of God, the God of their ancestors. Josiah took away all the abominations from all the territory that belonged to the people of Israel, and made all who were in Israel worship the Lord their God. All his days they did not turn away from following the Lord the God of their ancestors.


DEVOTION

Today I am reminded of the importance of speaking truth to power. I am also incredibly moved by the prophet Huldah, who was unafraid to tell the king, his advisers, and the entire nation that it was time to repent of sin and return to God.

It is always a tricky thing to correct the behavior of another. It must always be done under the unction and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.

It is also best received when the person has asked for advice or help. I notice in today's reading that Huldah spoke when she was sought out by the king's messengers.

All too often Christians are accused by our non-Christian friends of being "holier than Thou." I believe they say this because we often point the finger of accusation at others, without taking responsibility for our own sin and failure at the same time.

I am so glad that Jesus died not only for the sin of my family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and enemies, but also for my sin as well!

I will never forget the person who told me, "Be careful! When you point a finger at someone, you are also pointing at yourself."

Woe is me! I am a sinner undone!

Thanks be to God who sent Jesus to die on the cross to save me from my sin and gift me with eternal life. Thanks be to God who loves not only me--but the entire world--this very much!

Today, won't you commit to sharing the good news with humility and joy? If so, please pray with me:

Lord in Heaven, only Thou art holy! I know this full well for I am a sinner, saved only by your Amazing Grace. Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit, so that I may boldly and humbly call all of your children to repentance and relationship with You. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta