King Josiah Obeys God

Josiah became king of Judah when he was only eight years old. After eighteen years he sent his secretary, Shaphan, to the priest, Hilkiah to collect the money for the repairs to be made on the Temple.

"I have found the book of the law in the temple of the Lord," said the priest, and he gave it to Shaphan to read. He took the book back to King Josiah and read it to him. The king wept and cried and tore his robes. The book had been hidden in the temple so many years that the people didn't know how to live for God. In fact they worshipped other gods, gods that men made out of wood and metal. The gods have eyes but couldn't see, ears but couldn't hear, and mouths that couldn't speak. The handmade gods had no power at all to help the people.

Josiah's heart pounded and he paced back and forth. He said to Shaphan, "Go and inquire of the Lord for me and the people about this book from the temple." And that is what Shaphan did. He went to Hulda, a prophetess.

She said that the Lord said, "I am going to bring disaster on this place! My people have forgotten who I am. They burn incense to other gods and have forgotten who I am." But because Josiah tore his robe and humbled himself, he avoided the terrible disaster. He gathered his people together and read the book of the law to them. The people looked at each other and thought about how they lived. Like Josiah, they cried out to God and pledged to obey the words of His law with all their hearts. Josiah collected all the handmade gods in the temple and burned them and ground them into dust. He made the pagan priests move out of the temple so that only the one true God would be worshipped and adored.

Something good happens when you and I read God's word. Like Josiah and his people, we learn what is good and right. We learn how much we need God. When we confess to Him the wrong things we've done and ask Him to help us live for Him, He will do it. He will give us new hearts and we will be able to love as He loves. I hope that is your desire. It's mine too.

Lord Jesus, I am praying for the ones reading your story. Let them know how much you love them and help them live to love You and others. Amen.

A Wish and a Prayer--Review

An ambulance siren startled Jason's pet parakeet, Sonny, and he flew out the window. Distraught, Jason whistled, "Twitter-twitter-tweet," but Sonny didn't answer. Jason and his mom looked for the parakeet up and down the street and in the park, but they didn't find Sonny.

Jason made wishes on a clock and at the fountain in the park and on his birthday and on a star, but the wishes didn't bring Sonny home. Jason's mom asked him who heard his wishes. Realizing no one heard his wishes, he knew Who would hear his prayer.

Thunder rumbled and lightning lit up the sky. Rain pounded down on Jason's home. Would God bring Sonny home? A Wish and a Prayer is a sweet story how Jason trusted God through the power of prayer.

Jesus Calms the Storm

Jesus got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. All of a sudden dark clouds covered the sky. Wind and rain pounded down on the water and drenched the boat. Waves tossed the boat up and down, this way and that way.

Amazingly, Jesus rested his head on a pillow in the back of the boat and slept through the furious storm. Water made puddles on the floor and the disciples freaked out.

"Lord!" they said to Jesus. "Don't you care if we drown?"

Jesus got up, looked at them, and said, "Where is your faith?" Then he stood, raised His hands over the tumultuous waters. "Quiet! Be Still!" He shouted. The storm calmed and the lake grew flat.

"Who is this?" one of the disciples asked. "Even the wind and waves obey Him."

Jesus still calms storms today. What storm is pounding down on your life? Health or relationship issues? Fear or anger? Say His name, like the disciples did and you will know He is with you. He may not take your problems away, but He will walk with you through them. You can trust Him to be your BFF.

Lord Jesus, I pray for the person who is reading this story today. Quiet the storm in his/her life. Amen.