Doing what you should do just because it’s right…is that something that is hard for you to swallow?

Many of us would say, “Nah, it’s not.” We like to think of ourselves as the type of people who would not have a problem, even in the face of adversity, doing the right thing. Yet when life gets tough we have tendencies to take the easier path. I mean, the whole world is kind of like that, isn’t it?

Isn’t there an underneath current of communication that says you should do what’s good for you? If it is an easier path, it’s okay as long as it doesn’t hurt someone else. Sound familiar?

There was a guy named Josiah who was one of the last “good” kings of Judah back in the 6th century BC. He inherited a kingdom that was totally engrossed in idol worship and all sorts of corruption. The problem, though, was that these were the Jews and they were supposed to worship the one true God! It was so bad back then that the Jews were even taking up the practices of temple prostitution and child sacrifices. Josiah was looking at a mess!

Upon being convicted about the state of affairs for his country, Josiah went and saw one of the main priestess. The priestess had this message from God:

“’Because you have torn your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you,’ declares the Lord. ‘Therefore I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.’” 2 Kings 22:19-20

Okay, so the situation is like, “Thanks for being repentant and I know your heart, Josiah, but I am still going to punish these guys. So I will just wait until you are not around so you won’t have to see it.”

So guess what happens next? Josiah doesn’t quit. He doesn’t take the easy way out. He still goes against the grain and begins cleaning up the country. He not only cleans up the temple but goes through the country, tears down all of the idol places of worship and wipes out all the priests associated with these practices.

He went against years of engraved sin when God had already told him, “You’re okay.”

He cleaned up the kingdom just because it was the right thing to do – no reward and no promise of saving his people, just the ability to sleep better at night – and probably because he loved God more than the easy thing.

How about you? Are you ready to be like Josiah? Even though you are forgiven, are you ready to stand up to the world and make a difference? Which do you love, the easy thing or God?

-Jody