A Lesson from Josiah for a Godless Society

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently considering constitutional challenges to the definition of marriage as the union of a man and a woman. Most of us never dreamed that such a question would ever arise, let alone be seriously considered. But our society has changed. While far from being sinless, we have nonetheless in our history demonstrated submission to God’s sovereignty and leadership. From our founding until midway into the last century, our first inclination was to seek God and His help. Now, mentioning God is an offense, and even a crime, and the effect of this change is being felt in every aspect of society.

Recently, I heard a very popular TV commentator say the following with regard to same-sex marriage: “…the compelling argument is on the side of homosexuals. That is where the compelling argument is. ‘We’re Americans, we just want to be treated like everybody else.’ That’s a compelling argument, and to deny that you’ve got to have a very strong argument on the other side. And the other side hasn’t been able to do anything but thump the Bible.”

Our godless society says, “You need more than scripture to convince me that I’m wrong.” But I say, “A God fearing society needs no other argument.” But we have pushed God out of our national life, and I fear we will never return to Him.

I look at the history of the nations of the earth, and I see that while there have been momentary revivals, every nation has traveled down that continual slope away from God and toward evil. We are no different. We have legalized and normalized even the most heinous sins. Homosexuality is no longer a loathsome sin, detestable to God, but an acceptable lifestyle lovingly portrayed on virtually every television show. Abortion is not the murder of a person created by God, but the removal of an inconvenient mistake. Recently, Florida legislators were shocked by testimony from a Planned Parenthood official who supports the right of a mother and doctor to kill an infant who survives a failed abortion.

King Manasseh, probably the most evil of Judah’s kings, “did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, imitating the detestable practices of the nations that the Lord had dispossessed before the Israelites” and “passed his sons through the fire” as sacrifices to false gods. Like him, our nation has spent the last several decades actively driving God out of every aspect of our society.

Then I look to the future and see that, after all believers are gathered to Christ, “all the nations of the earth” will gather to battle against Him. If it remains, the United States will be included in this coalition. Ours is not a Godly nation, and when I look at history and to the future, I tremble.

So, is there hope for America? Yes, there is always hope. Manasseh’s grandson, Josiah, sought the Lord while still a child. He purged the land of pagan things and cleansed the Temple. He rediscovered God’s Word and led the people in a great revival and recommitment to God. We can follow in his steps. The truth of God’s mercy and grace has not changed with time. The hope for our society, our nation, our world is for us to follow Josiah’s example in our own lives and homes.

1. Seek the Lord. “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:13) Revival begins when we seek the Lord. He’s not hiding. He’s waiting for you to seek Him. “Seek” not only means “search for” but also “to try to acquire or gain”. Seek God in order to gain Him.

2. Cleanse. “Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch. You are indeed unleavened, for Christ our Passover has been sacrificed.” (1 Cor. 5:7) Deal with the sin problem in our lives and society. Purge it by trusting in the saving work of Jesus Christ.

3. Repent. “When the king heard the words of the law, he tore his clothes.” (2 Chr. 34:19) Warren Weirsbe said, “How people respond to God’s Word is a good indication of their spiritual appetite and the strength of their desire to please the Lord.” Josiah responded with grief and revulsion at what his nation had done. He determined to turn them from the road they were on.

4. Pray. “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” (2 Chr. 7:14)