What does it mean to know God? Jeremiah gives us a surprising answer in the Bible when he describes good King Josiah. God’s people didn’t have many good kings in the Old Testament. Unfortunately, most of the kings rejected God and followed idols. King Josiah was an exception. Josiah was the boy who became king at age 8. He led God’s people back to the truth of God’s Word. Here, however is what stood out most to God about King Josiah: “‘He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?’ declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 22:16). What does it mean to know God? Defend of the cause of the poor and needy like King Josiah did!
Does that describe you? A great defender of the poor and needy? I’m ashamed to admit that often the poor and needy never cross my mind. I’m too concerned about myself! What about you? It’s amazing to think that our Savior Jesus lived and died for people like us, isn’t it? King Josiah understood God’s grace, and it showed in his life by the way he cared for even the lowest members of his society. This wasn’t the social gospel. He wasn’t trying to work his way to heaven. People loved by God love like God loves. May this description of good King Josiah apply to us and our churches too! What could you do to defend the cause of the poor and needy, all in the name of Jesus? Knowing God means putting faith in action.
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