Rediscover
Recently I did a dangerous thing. My wife and I had discussed it for some time, and finally the day came…it was time to enter the loft and clear stuff out!
We have been putting things up there for twenty years. Some items, like our Christmas decorations and suitcases, are needed on occasions, but most of the rest needs sorting, donating or throwing away.
The first job was to clear the many cardboard boxes we had stored, ‘just in case’. Whilst doing that, I came across a load of CDs and photos. As I looked through them, the memories came flooding back.
It was like jumping into a time-machine. I was instantly transported back to when the picture was taken or when I used to listen to that music. The nostalgia was immense. Rediscovering these items was powerful.
Something similar happened in the Old Testament book of 2 Kings. God’s people had rejected His ways, and had become like the countries around them. Then, during the reign of King Josiah, something was found in the temple…
“Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord.” He gave it to Shaphan, who read it. Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king. When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes.”
The Book of the Law had been given to Moses hundreds of years before, and was God’s ways that the Israelites were to live by. Over time, Israel had abandoned God and His ways and The Book of the Law was lost.
However, when it was rediscovered and read before King Josiah, he responded by ‘tearing his robes’, which was a sign of deep sorrow and repentance.
The King quickly set about restoring the nation to doing what the Book of the Law said.
Today, we have the Bible. Perhaps you own one, but not sure where it is? Could it be time to rediscover it, read it and let God speak to you through it.
If you do, then like King Josiah, you may find your life dramatically change.
God bless you :)
Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader