Summary of the Bible in 52 Weeks: 9. King

When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes.

2 Kings 22:11 ESV

If even the relatively good king Josiah tore his clothes at the hearing of God's Law, what hope is for us? Our hope is in the promise to Josiah's ancestor David of a Descendant whose Kingdom will never end. Jesus is the King of kings who will never let us down.

It's not enough to be moral like Josiah. It's not even enough to tear our clothes when we realise we fall short of God's glory. As Joel said, we need to rend our hearts, not our garments.

If our hearts break at how we have broken the heart of God by our rebellion, he will mend our broken hearts. God blesses the brokenhearted. The One who convicts us of sin is the One who acquits us of its penalty.

Like Josiah, we are to humble ourselves before the King of kings, who himself is gentle and lowly. At his first advent, he meekly rode a donkey into Jerusalem. When he returns, it will be to conquer and to subdue all rebels against his Majesty.

'Sovereign Lord, may we humble ourselves before you before it's too late. We ask this for your honour and praise, now and forevermore, amen'.

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