What is a shoulder committed to God?
This isn't a phrase we find explicitly stated in the scriptures, but as we delve into the reign of young King Josiah, recorded in 2 Kings 22:1-2 and 23:25, we witness a life that embodies this very commitment. Josiah, at the tender age of eight, ascended the throne and, remarkably, "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left." His life stands as a testament to what it means to dedicate our very strength and being to God.
Our outline today guides us through the facets of this commitment, revealing how we too can offer our "shoulder" to the Lord.
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I. HE IS WILLING TO GET RIGHT WITH GOD
Josiah's reign began in a kingdom steeped in the idolatry and disobedience of his predecessors. Yet, his heart was different. He demonstrated a profound willingness to realign himself and his nation with God.
a. He is willing to restore the temple (vv. 3-7). Years into his reign, Josiah recognized the dilapidated state of the Lord's house. This physical neglect mirrored the spiritual decay of the nation. His initiative to repair and restore the temple wasn't just about bricks and mortar; it was a symbolic act of prioritizing God's presence and worship. It speaks to our own lives: are we willing to mend the broken places in our relationship with God? Are we willing to invest our time, energy, and resources in restoring the sacred spaces within our hearts and in our communities of faith?
b. He is willing to involve God in his decisions. When the Book of the Law was discovered during the temple renovations, Josiah didn't dismiss it or rationalize the nation's departure from its teachings. Instead, as we see in verses 11-13 (leading into our next point), he sought the Lord's guidance through the prophetess Huldah. This willingness to involve God in his decisions, to seek His wisdom and understanding, is a hallmark of a committed shoulder. Do we consult God's Word and seek His will in the significant choices of our lives, or do we rely solely on our own understanding?
c. He is willing to let God deal with his life (vv. 9-13). Upon hearing the words of the Law, Josiah was deeply convicted. He didn't try to excuse the sins of his ancestors or minimize the judgment that might come. Instead, he humbled himself and sent messengers to inquire of the Lord, acknowledging God's authority and willingness to accept His dealings. A committed shoulder doesn't resist God's hand in their life, even when it brings correction or calls for repentance. We must be willing to surrender our own agendas and trust in God's sovereign plan.
II. HE IS WILLING TO LET GOD DEAL WITH HIS LIFE (vv. 9-13)
This section emphasizes the internal transformation that precedes outward action. Josiah's response to the discovered Law reveals a heart open to God's work.
a. He is willing to acknowledge his mistakes and sins (v. 13). Josiah's reaction to the reading of the Law was not one of defensiveness or denial. He recognized the weight of the nation's disobedience and his own connection to that history. He exclaimed, "Great is the Lord’s anger that has burned against us because those who have gone before us have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us." A committed shoulder is willing to confront their own shortcomings, to acknowledge their mistakes and sins before a holy God. This humility is the first step towards healing and reconciliation.
b. He is willing to bring God's Word to life (vv. 18, 19). God's response to Josiah's humility was one of grace. He promised that judgment would not come during Josiah's reign because his heart was responsive. This highlights the power of a heart that takes God's Word seriously and allows it to shape their actions. A committed shoulder doesn't just hear the Word; it seeks to live it out, allowing it to transform their thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors.
c. He is willing to surrender to God (v. 13). The depth of Josiah's surrender is evident in his immediate and profound emotional response:
• Tender heart: His heart was receptive and sensitive to God's Word.
• Humiliation before God: He didn't stand on his royal status but humbled himself before the Lord.
• Josiah tore his clothes: This was a traditional sign of deep mourning, grief, and repentance.
• Josiah wept before the Lord: His tears were a tangible expression of his sorrow for sin and his genuine desire for God's mercy.
A committed shoulder is marked by this willingness to surrender – our pride, our willfulness, our self-reliance – at the foot of the cross. It's about a heart that is soft towards God and broken over sin.
III. HE IS WILLING TO MAKE RADICAL CHANGES
Josiah's commitment wasn't just internal; it manifested in bold and decisive action.
a. He is willing to cut off sin (23:1-3). Josiah gathered all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, and standing before the Lord, he renewed the covenant. He committed himself and the people to follow the Lord and keep His commands. This act of publicly cutting off the past and embracing a new path is crucial for a committed shoulder. We must be willing to make those difficult choices to sever ties with sin and anything that hinders our walk with God.
b. He is willing to eradicate what displeases God (vv. 4-15). Josiah didn't stop at a verbal commitment. He took concrete steps to dismantle the idols, the high places, and all the pagan practices that had defiled the land. This included confronting various forms of spiritual corruption:
• Idolatry: The worship of false gods.
• Prostitution and fornication: Immoral sexual practices often associated with pagan worship.
• False sin: Practices and rituals not ordained by God.
• Religious syncretism: The blending of true worship with pagan beliefs and practices.
• Pagan-religious ritualism: The adherence to empty and ungodly ceremonies.
A committed shoulder is willing to actively and decisively remove anything from their life that displeases God, no matter how entrenched or culturally accepted it may be. This requires courage, discernment, and a unwavering loyalty to the Lord.
c. He is willing to consecrate himself to God (vv. 21-23). Finally, Josiah reinstituted the Passover, a central act of remembrance and rededication to God's covenant. This act of consecration signified a renewed commitment to worship and obedience. A committed shoulder continually seeks to consecrate themselves to God, offering their lives as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to Him (Romans 12:1).
Conclusion:
Brothers and sisters, the life of King Josiah paints a vivid picture of what it means to have a shoulder committed to God. It is not a passive state but an active, wholehearted dedication that involves a willingness to get right with God, to allow Him to work deeply within us, and to make radical changes in our lives to align with His will.
A Christian committed to God must make radical changes in his life, cutting off sin and eradicating anything that displeases Him. We must open our hearts to divine action, allowing God's Word to convict and transform us. And we must adopt a radical attitude toward the sin that distances us from our eternal Savior, not tolerating it but actively fighting against it.
When we adopt such a position, when we offer our very strength and will to God, when we commit our "shoulder" to His service, our spiritual life will indeed experience unprecedented growth. May we all strive to have such a committed shoulder, ready to bear His yoke, carry His burdens, and work for His glory.
