A thing that is striking about Josiah’s character is his perseverance despite the fact that there seemed to be no future, no matter what he could do! His commitment to God was unwavering! Nothing was going to stop him from doing according to “the words of the covenant.”

After hearing that God’s judgment was coming, but also that he would die in peace and not fall under that judgment, Josiah committed himself even more! “The king stood in his place and made a covenant before the Lord, to follow the Lord, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul.”

Josiah’s piety is remarkable! Why continue in a cause that seems lost? He knew it would not change the coming of the judgment of God, yet he was committed to go on for the Lord. Josiah was not considering his personal interests, but those of the Lord.

Today, if everything looks morally bleak, am I going to live for myself or for the Lord, by doing what is pleasing to Him? Our Lord Jesus had an inimitable zeal for God, but He invites us to follow Him. We are encouraged, in these last dark and cold moments of the night, just before sunrise, to continue relentlessly to walk in the path the Lord has laid out for us.

Let us walk carefully with the strength the Lord gives us, not with the strength of our old nature. Let us walk by the Spirit in this path which is difficult but so much approved by the Lord who will reward the faithful servant. The Lord is coming! Let us watch, be faithful to the Lord, and pray to be kept so, until He comes!