It sounds like Josiah was a pretty smart kid for being eight years old. He was making righteous decisions. “He did not turn away from doing what was right.” Sometimes being right isn’t the popular decision. And being “right” can mean many things depending on whose “right” it is. God’s laws are often contrary to man’s laws. I choose to want to be faithful to God’s ways first.
Josiah was seeking to please God. Influenced by David’s faithfulness, we see there was emphasis on God’s holy place, the LORD’s temple. While David’s dream was not fulfilled until his son, Solomon, completed the temple, David knew that honoring God with a home on earth was a high priority. Josiah now, generations later, wants to restore it and keep the structure strong and vibrant.
We’ve talked about our present-day temples before, but it’s always a good reminder. Our bodies now represent God’s temple on earth. We are walking around, breathing vessels for God to shine through. What sorts of ways are you strengthening or refreshing your temple?
Josiah was a king that believed a beautiful temple was important. But that isn’t the only thing we should focus on. Josiah will soon see how true that is. For now, he is focused on doing all the required things to make the finances work to accomplish the restoration task.
It is good to have a plan and know that you are investing properly in the right things. When we retired to Mexico, we were able to do it early because our money would stretch farther here. It was important to us to have more focused time for each other, our relationship with Jesus, and being used as the LORD’s vessels.
You might think that a pastor and pastor’s wife were used plenty as the LORD’s vessels, and that is not a false statement. But being able to rest in the Lord ourselves, without making sure a whole body of believers was served first, was often not easy. (Full disclosure here: we were sometimes totally exhausted and just going through the motions!)
Bottom line for all of us is to take care of yourself. By doing that, you are caring for the temple of the LORD. A renovation project can cost a lot of money. It’s better to keep repairs intact as they appear.
I used to be someone who didn’t find time to exercise, except in the months right before a vacation when I’d be in a bathing suit! Now, I exercise 7 days a week. I’m not talking “in-the-gym sweat-fests” either. Those are fun, but not sustainable unless you have the time built into your schedule and accountability.
David and I have the pool reserved three days a week to keep us accountable. The other days are on us for strength, walking, etc. It’s so much easier to make exercising a priority when your body starts to respond, and you feel stronger with so much more energy. I want that feeling. I can serve more!
Keeping our spiritual health vital is also beneficial to our temples (bodies). I hope that you use this and/or other devotionals to keep you connected with God. He’s crazy about you, you know! How are you honoring your temple today?
Let’s pray …
Lord, thank you for this body you have given me. Help me work on keeping fit both physically and spiritually. Create in me the desire to do both in ways that are honoring to you. How can my example benefit someone else? Use me, God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
