God's Glory Church

“But Josiah… did not listen to the words of Necho, which were from God’s command.” — 2 Chronicles 35:22

When I was a student, I had to drive to college and home through boring, desert terrain. The road was long and straight, so I exceeded the speed limit more than once. First, the patrol service issued me a warning. Then she issued a fine. And then, very soon, I was caught speeding again in the same place.

Failure to listen can lead to sad consequences. A tragic example of this is the fate of Josiah, a good and faithful king. When the Egyptian pharaoh Necho marched through Judea to help Assyria in the fight against Babylon, Josiah came out to meet him. Necho sent messengers to tell him: “God has commanded me to hurry. Do not resist God who is with me” (2 Chron. 35:21). The Lord actually sent Necho on this campaign, but Josiah “disobeyed the words of Necho, which were from God’s command, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo” (v. 22). In the battle, he was seriously wounded and died. “All Judea and Jerusalem were in mourning for Josiah” (v. 24).

The king, who loved God, learned by bitter experience that stubbornness and unwillingness to listen to God, who can speak through other people, does not lead to anything good. May God grant us the humility to always check our spiritual condition and be attentive to His wisdom.

In what areas of life do you especially need God’s wisdom? How will you listen to Him today?

Wise and loving God, help me to humbly listen to Your wisdom. Thank you that when I ask, You give “simply and without reproach” (James 1:5).

Author: James Banks