Psalm 84 verses 5-7 (NLT)
What joy for those whose strength comes from the LORD, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings. They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.
2 Kings Chapter 23: Verse 25 (NLT)
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.
Psalm 84 was written by King David, but it’s his descendant, Josiah, who seems to have lived by its observations. In fact, according to this bible verse, more than anyone else, presumably even David himself. Josiah set his whole heart, mind and soul to follow God, therefore God was his strength no matter what. It doesn’t mean that his life was always a bed of roses, and he met his death in war. But throughout his life he didn’t waver. And that’s something we can all learn from Josiah’s life.
If we set our hearts and minds to follow God, He will give us the strength to do so as we live our lives. But we need to keep our focus just as Josiah did and not get distracted by our circumstances, which sadly, I am prone to do.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the example of Josiah’s single mindedness in following Your ways. Help me to aspire to be like him in that way. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.