A few years ago, when I was at my parent’s house, we started talking about the Scriptures and I wanted to look something up. I joked with them and asked, “Where do you store your Bibles?” This, of course, insinuated that they never read the Scriptures and simply put them away in storage in between weekend services.

In 2 Kings 22, King Josiah takes the throne of Judah at a mere 8 years old. A full 18 years passed when King Josiah told a priest to collect offerings from the temple. In fulfilling his duty, Hilkiah the high priest “finds” the Book of the Law. Finds? That means it was lost, hidden away in an unknown location.

Sometimes it is very difficult to verify perfect cause and effect relationships. One current battle is the relationship between how we use fossil fuels and its relationship with climate change. Another one is how video games affect children’s behavior. Scientific testing seeks to discover not only if there is a relationship between fossil fuels and climate change, but also how much of a relationship. Psychologists research the same things when it comes to video games and children’s behavior. Even if a relationship can be found, it’s not always a one-to-one relationship, which simply means there are other factors involved. A percentage of climate change may be affected by the use of fossil fuels, but how much? Is there something else that either is affecting climate change more or in a significant enough way that we have to be just as concerned about that as we are about fossil fuels? What percentage does video games affect children’s behaviors and is there something else that is affecting children’s behaviors just as much, if not more? What about parental influence, peer influence, or simple freewill choice?

I say all of this to help you develop critically thinking skills in general, but also to point out a correlation that can be found in 2 Kings 22. I think we can all be very secure that there is a direct correlation between exposure to the Word of God and behaviors. The Israelites used the Book of the Law so little that they actually forgot where it was even located? King Josiah, where do you store your Bible? My what?

When the high priest found the Book of the Law and read it to King Josiah, he tore his clothes in despair. He soon realized how far his people had strayed from following God. Exposure to the Scriptures directly relates to behaviors. But wait, it’s not a one-to-one correlations. Why? C’mon – think about it. Is there anyone who is exposed the Bible on a regular basis but still doesn’t change his or her behavior? Ah! Welcome personal choice.

The Book of the Law affected King Josiah’s behavior because his heart was teachable. How do I know that? His response. Whenever you and I are exposed to truth, we quickly find out how teachable we are. You and I both know of people who, when exposed to the truth, make excuses, get defensive, or turn the table and attack the truth-tellers. Nowhere is this more offensive and disheartening than with believers.

Our entire Christian experience begins with teachability. Teachability is a basic attitude that says, “I know I am blind in many areas of my life and I need insight and help in growing.” When we come to the cross for the first time, we are saying, “God, I am blind and I am asking you to forgive me of my sins. You know all, and I am clueless. Please forgive me and allow me to spend eternity with you. I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and what He did for me on the cross.” It’s a beautiful, humble moment. King Josiah had a similar experience.

However, for some reason, the Israelites, and many Christians, somehow lose that attitude of teachability. How do I know? I have given truth to many believers and they make excuses, get defensive, or turn the table and attack me. When it comes to blatant sin, it’s easy to come to peace with the conflict. However, when you speak truth into someone’s life and it’s not a blatant sin issue, their maturity and teachability is truly revealed. Personal growth involves all truth. The attitude of teachability should be ubiquitous (ever-present) in and throughout your life. Many of us are so motivated to seek truth and grow. The principle: Whenever you think you’ve “arrived”, you are further away than you’ve ever been. One simple acid test: how do you respond when truth is given to you?

King Josiah was exposed to truth and reformed Judah and had a revival. The Pharisees were exposed to the Scriptures on a regular basis but thought they had “arrived” and there downfall was secure.

Questions:
Is there any blatant sin in my life? What do the Scriptures say?
If not, how powerful of a believer am I? What do other people say? Ask as many people as you can this question: “Where am I blind?” and “How can I grow?” Ask your spouse, your family, and most importantly, those who don’t think the world of you.
Don’t you just love pain?

1 Kings 8
This was definitely a high point of the people of God. Solomon just finished building the temple where God would reside. Up to this point, He had only dwelt in a tent, but now a temple was built and it was an incredibly powerful moment. Look at verses 10 and 11: “When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD. And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled his temple.” Whoa.

At this moment of intensity, King Solomon is blown away and he has no choice but to praise the God of heaven. He has one theme in his praise: God has fulfilled His promises.

From the moment God brought Israel out of Egypt until that very moment, God fulfilled promises. If you have been reading through the Old Testament, you will feel that it has been a roller coaster ride. You will also quickly realize that between man and God, only one of us didn’t keep their word.

One mental technique I use to help keep myself faithful until the end is the principle of “what do I want to feel when I look back?” Think about the times you have failed; the times you listened to your sinful impulses and you were so driven emotionally to flesh out those impulses. You felt so right, and then it was over. You reflected and then repented to the God of heaven. Why can’t we have those reflections and those emotions before we listen and live out our impulses? Ugh! The God of our Lord Jesus Christ will keep his promise: As far as the east is from the west, I will remove your transgressions from you. Beautiful promises.

Solomon doesn’t stop there – he turns to the altar – the center of sacrifice, and dedicates the temple. The outline of his prayer is as follows:

1. Declaration of the character of God (23-24)
2. Pleading with God to keep His promises (25-26)
3. Be here, stay here, and forgive! (27-30)
4. Bring justice! (31-32)
5. If you punish us because we’ve blown it, and turn to you again, forgive! (33-34)
6. If you punish us because we’ve blown it, and turn to you again, forgive! (35-36)
7. If you punish us because we’ve blown it, and turn to you again, forgive! (37-40)
8. If Gentiles come and seek you, grant their requests! (41-43)
9. If your people are far away and turn toward you, grant their requests! (44-45
10. If you punish us because we’ve blown it, and turn to you again, forgive! (46-51)
11. May you answer us when we cry out to you! (52-53)

Are you sensing a pattern here? The temple is the place of sacrifice, forgiveness, and worship. God’s people come to the presence of God to acknowledge the sacrifice, seek forgiveness, and worship the God of heaven. How much more, Christian, do we need to believe and accept His sacrifice, forgiveness, and then turn to worship Him?

He has promised to forgive if we come to Him with a repentant heart – that is His promise! He has also promised to punish if we reject and turn away from Him. The perfect balance of grace and truth (John 1:14). Which mindset do you need today? What word (grace or truth) will draw you closer to Him?