WHAT GOES ON AT YOUR CHURCH? -- Devotional for August 28, from "Good Seeds"

Then Hilkiah the high priest said, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.” He gave it to Shaphan the scribe who read it to the king. Now when Josiah heard the words from the Book he tore his clothes. Then he commanded the priests saying, “Go, inquire of the Lord for me and my people concerning the words of this Book that has been found.” (II Kings 22:8-13)

Have you heard the saying, “The more things change, the more they stay the same”? This is Solomon’s proverb (and now Steven’s poem!): “What shall be is what has been done, for there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Here’s how we might say it today: “Been there, done that, bought the T shirt!” This is what comes to mind when I read about what went on “in church” back in the days of Israel’s kings – or should I say what didn’t go on? There was the beautiful temple of Solomon in the holy city of Jerusalem. In place were the implements of worship, skillfully administered by Priest Hilkiah and his associates. Also on staff, for the day-to-day work of this revered religion, was a full-time church secretary, Shaphan the scribe. And don’t forget the board of trustees, the doorkeepers, in charge of church property and finance. But with all this, something was still missing, and had been missing for a very long time. And when it was discovered, or rather re-discovered, it set off a chain of events that brought the king to his knees before God, and a revival took place in Israel the likes of which had never before been seen! The better kings of Israel were sometimes called shepherds, and eighteen year old Josiah was among the best – a true shepherd-king. He had a heart for his people and his God, though as yet very little spiritual understanding. But what good he knew to do, he did. The House of God was in need of repair, so he called a workday. Materials would be needed, and money to buy them, so he instructed his secretary to tell the priest to tally up the building fund and turn in a full report. As Hilkiah puttered around in the back rooms of the temple (maybe looking for a stray offering plate full of loose change!) he made an amazing discovery: He found an old Bible – that is, a scroll of the Book of the Law. He called Shaphan to take it to the king, along with the money accounting. When the scribe read God’s Word to Josiah, a spiritual reawakening began, right then and there! Isn’t that how revival always begins – with a word from God? So Christian, dust off your Bible, open it, and read! It will send you to your knees in repentance and worship, and then set you on your feet to serve the One who is the only reason to do church in the first place! By the way, what goes on at your church? All that matters is that God and His people be on speaking terms!