Young Adults' Group

The Challenge Of Being Diligent

by Pastor Mark
June 27, 2019

Starting well

“It is not how you begin but how you end.” This is a familiar saying that reflects the importance of being diligent in the keeping of the heart. We can start well. But being diligent is not just about beginning well. It is also about ending well. An example for us to consider is King Josiah. He began well. There was even a prophecy concerning what he would do as king, “O altar, altar! Thus says the Lord: “Behold, a child, Josiah by name, shall be born to the house of David; and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and men’s bones shall be burnt on you.”” (1 Kings 13:2) There was an altar of golden calves that was set up by King Jeroboam in Bethel. A man of God gave this prophecy against this altar that it would split. (1 Kings 13:3) Josiah was going to bring about a cleansing of idolatry in the land. Josiah was going to be a king with a good heart.

Good influences

Josiah was only eight years old when he became king. It was recorded, “And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.” (2 Chron 34:2) How was King Josiah able to have such a good beginning? There were good influencers in his early life and reign. There was firstly his mother Jedidah, who raised him to know the Lord. (2 Kings 22:1) Secondly, Josiah had a spiritual hero in King David. He walked in the ways of his spiritual father, David. David was a good influence on him. Thirdly, Josiah was surrounded by good friends such as Hilkiah the priest and many others whom he entrusted to clean the temple. Fourthly, the Word of God was taught to Josiah too. The Word of God was a vital influence on Josiah. These were good influences on the life of King Josiah to help him be diligent in the keeping of his heart.

The keeping of the heart diligently

Through most of the reign of King Josiah, he was diligent in walking right with the Lord. At the eighth year of his reign, he began to seek God. In the twelfth year, he commenced purging Judah and Jerusalem of the high places and all images. (2 Chron 34:3) He even burnt the bones of the priests on the altars as prophesied by the man of God. (2 Chron 34:5) At the eighteenth year of his reign, he started repairs to the house of God. During those repairs, the law of God was found. When the Word was read to King Josiah, he tore his clothes in sorrow, recognising how their forefathers had not kept the Word. (2 Chron 34:19)

The prophetess Huldah was consulted to make inquire of the Lord concerning His wrath. Huldah proclaimed that while the land would have to face calamity, and there was no quenching of the wrath of God, Josiah would not see any of the calamity. This was because he still had a tender heart and humbled himself before God when he heard the words of the Lord against the land. He tore his clothes and wept. Therefore, God had heard him and he would go to his grave in peace. (2 Chron 34:22–28) Josiah kept his heart diligently…to be tender and sensitive to God and His Word after many years of reign.

The challenge to be diligent to the end

When Necho, King of Egypt, came to battle against Carchemish, Josiah decided to go against him. Necho gave a warning and claimed that he was doing what God had commanded and that Josiah should refrain from meddling with Him. (2 Chron 35:21) He did not heed the warning and decided to disguise himself to go into battle. Subsequently, he was shot by an arrow, and he died. Josiah’s heart was not diligent in the end and sought to follow his own ways. Let us be challenged to learn from the life and death of Josiah. Let us learn not to be diligently only at the beginning but also to the very end.

Back to Article Listing