2 Kings 23:15-37

“Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him.” (2 Kings 23:25, NKJV)

One day we will all be remembered by others. It could happen at our memorial service. Or perhaps before then someone we’ve known from our past unexpectedly contacts us. What impression are we leaving in the minds of people?

People remember others not for their title or position but for what they accomplished. This was certainly the case with King Josiah. When he died, all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him, including Jeremiah (2 Chronicles 35:24-25). Why? Because he did more to eradicate evil and restore the pure worship of Yahweh than any other king of Judah or Israel. He celebrated the Passover as it hadn’t been celebrated since the days of the judges (2 Kings 23:22). He also fulfilled prophecy when he destroyed the altar and image at Bethel that Jeroboam had made (1 Kings 13:1-3).

What motivated Josiah to do these things? He turned to the LORD with all his heart, soul and might, according to all the Law of Moses. This reminds me of the greatest commandment that Jesus gave.

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30, NKJV)

I like to look at it this way. Does God have all my affections? Does He have all my will? Does He have all my intellect? Does He have all my physical strength? Have I devoted my entire being to Him?

What do you think would happen if everyone in the Church pursued this? How would people remember Christians? What would we accomplish?