Always Give Your Best

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Scripture for today: 2 Chronicles 34. 

Josiah was the last good king of Judah. His close walk with God was marked by his actions.  

During his reign, Josiah broke down the altars of Baal, repaired the temple in Jerusalem, and reinstituted the Passover. When the book of Deuteronomy was rediscovered and read in his presence, he responded with deep contrition on behalf of the nation. Furthermore, He wanted to know how the nation could avoid the curses spoken of in this book. So, Josiah sent a delegation to a prophetess named Huldah for the answer.  

Josiah was told by the prophetess that there would be peace in his lifetime, but after his death the nation would experience God’s judgment. In spite of this bad news, Josiah continued to lead the nation in a righteous direction.  

Knowing that the nation would be judged by God, Josiah continued to give God his best. He did not have a fatalistic attitude like his forefather, Hezekiah. He lived as though his actions mattered. 

Like Josiah, we must do our best for God while we are alive on this earth. Yes, the world is headed for a bad finish. Yes, the world is against God. However, we are to seek to spread the Gospel to all the nations .Regardless of how bad things may get, we are not to adopt a fatalistic attitude.  

We should give God our best every day. We should be salt and light to this decaying and dark world. We should live like our lives matter, because in the end they really do! 

This devotion is based on Marty McLain's book "The Crown has Fallen: A Study of the Kings of Judah." 

effort, leadership