2 Kings 22:8-13
And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD. And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes. And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king’s, saying, Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.

Oh, precious book. How great it is to read the words of the book, to understand what God would say, to believe His Word and to turn toward Him. Over the years, some of the ungodly kings in Israel had desecrated the temple and the worship of God. They’d corrupted His house with idol worship and false altars. And evidently the book of the law had been lost for a time, not having been read or acknowledged or taught to the people.

But now when it is found and read, it touches Josiah’s heart. He is fearful of the judgments of God. He recognizes the sin that his nation has committed. And in response, he wants to seek God’s face and God’s will. What a difference it made to have God’s Word and to know what it said. How much this moment would affect his own future and the life that he would live the rest of his days as king. He would devote himself to ridding the land of all that dishonored and displeased God.

Nowadays the Word of God is readily available and easily accessible, at least in our culture and our language. But have we given it a prominent place in our own lives? Do we spend time reading it, seeking to know what God would say to us? In Judah, it had seemingly been lost for a time, and maybe it’s the same for you. Maybe your Bible has gathered dust and it is time for you, too, to rediscover God’s Word. Maybe it’s time to look at it with fresh eyes and an open heart and a receptive mind to believe it and then obey it. Are you willing to allow God’s Word to change your life, your path, and your future?