Embracing Humility: Lessons from King Josiah
Summary
In reflecting on the life of King Josiah, we are reminded of the profound act of humility he demonstrated when confronted with the words of God. Josiah, despite his righteousness and dedication to God’s work, was deeply moved to humble himself upon discovering the book of the law and realizing the impending judgment on his people. This act of humility was not just a passive state but a deliberate and personal action. Josiah did not merely talk about humility; he embodied it, tearing his royal garments and weeping before God. This teaches us that humility is not just a grace or a state of being but an active choice to lower ourselves before God, acknowledging our sins and the justice of His judgments.
The narrative of Josiah serves as a powerful reminder that even in our moments of spiritual success and purity, we are not immune to the need for humility. God, in His wisdom, often allows us to encounter humbling circumstances to prevent pride from taking root in our hearts. Just as Josiah was humbled to prevent the peril of pride, we too must embrace humility to safeguard our spiritual journey. This humility is not for show but is a sincere, devout act before God, acknowledging our weaknesses and the grace that sustains us.
Moreover, the act of humbling oneself is not only a preventive measure but also a path to divine favor. Throughout scripture, we see that God responds to humility with mercy and grace. When we humble ourselves, we create a vacuum that God fills with His love and blessings. This humility also strengthens us, making us bold in our faith and effective in our service to others. It is through humility that we align ourselves with God’s will and open ourselves to His transformative power.
Key Takeaways:
1. Humility as an Active Choice: Humility is not merely a passive state but an active choice to lower ourselves before God. Josiah's act of tearing his garments and weeping was a deliberate action, reminding us that true humility requires intentionality and sincerity. [07:46]
2. Humility in Success: Even in moments of spiritual success, we must remain humble. God often allows humbling circumstances to prevent pride from taking root, as seen in Josiah's life. This teaches us to embrace humility as a safeguard for our spiritual journey. [04:14]
3. Divine Favor through Humility: Humility invites God's mercy and grace. When we humble ourselves, we create a space for God to fill with His love and blessings. This act of humility is a path to divine favor and spiritual growth. [36:05]
4. Strength in Humility: True humility strengthens us, making us bold in our faith and effective in our service. It is through humility that we align ourselves with God's will and open ourselves to His transformative power. [38:04]
5. Humility and Self-Reflection: Reflecting on our sins and the grace that sustains us leads to genuine humility. By acknowledging our weaknesses and the justice of God's judgments, we cultivate a humble spirit that is pleasing to God. [18:37]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Josiah's Humility
- [00:37] - Discovery of the Law
- [01:21] - Josiah's Reaction
- [02:07] - God's Love and Jealousy
- [03:25] - Humility as a Preventive Measure
- [04:29] - Trials and Humility
- [05:05] - The Acceptable Act
- [06:46] - Humility in Action
- [08:20] - Personal and Voluntary Humility
- [10:13] - Humble vs. Humbled
- [12:17] - Sincere Devotion
- [14:02] - Deep and Thorough Humility
- [18:04] - Reasons for Humility
- [23:47] - The Greatness of God
- [26:37] - True vs. False Humility
- [30:34] - Encouraging Results of Humility
- [36:56] - Humility and Spiritual Health
- [41:50] - A Call to the Unsaved
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Humility of King Josiah
Bible Reading:
- 2 Chronicles 34:27
- 2 Kings 22:19
- James 4:6
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Observation Questions:
1. What specific actions did King Josiah take upon discovering the book of the law, and how did these actions demonstrate his humility? [00:12]
2. How did Josiah's response to the book of the law differ from the typical response of a king during his time? [01:21]
3. What was the significance of Josiah tearing his royal garments, and what did this symbolize in the context of his humility? [07:18]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between humility and spiritual success, as illustrated by Josiah's life? [04:14]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that humility is an active choice rather than a passive state? How does this relate to Josiah's actions? [07:02]
2. How does the sermon explain the role of humility in preventing pride, especially during times of spiritual success? [02:24]
3. What does the sermon imply about the connection between humility and receiving divine favor? How does this apply to Josiah's story? [36:05]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the idea that true humility strengthens one's faith and service to others? [38:04]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt spiritually successful. How did you respond, and what role did humility play in your reaction? [04:14]
2. Consider a time when you were confronted with a humbling circumstance. How did you handle it, and what did you learn about humility from that experience? [02:24]
3. How can you actively choose humility in your daily life, especially in moments of personal or professional success? What specific actions can you take to embody humility like Josiah? [07:02]
4. In what ways can you create a "vacuum" in your life for God to fill with His love and blessings through humility? Identify one area where you can practice this. [36:05]
5. Think of a person or situation that challenges your humility. How can you approach this with a humble spirit, acknowledging your weaknesses and relying on God's grace? [18:37]
6. How can you ensure that your acts of humility are sincere and not just for show? What steps can you take to cultivate a genuinely humble heart before God? [12:17]
7. Identify a specific area in your spiritual journey where pride might be taking root. How can you address this through intentional acts of humility? [02:24]
Devotional
Day 1: Humility as a Deliberate Action
Humility is not a passive state but an intentional choice to lower oneself before God. King Josiah exemplified this when he discovered the book of the law and realized the impending judgment on his people. Despite his righteousness, he tore his royal garments and wept before God, demonstrating a profound act of humility. This teaches us that true humility requires intentionality and sincerity, acknowledging our sins and the justice of God's judgments. [07:46]
2 Chronicles 34:19-21 (ESV): "And when the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes. And the king commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Abdon the son of Micah, Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king's servant, saying, 'Go, inquire of the Lord for me and for those who are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the Lord that is poured out on us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord, to do according to all that is written in this book.'"
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to intentionally humble yourself before God today? How can you take a deliberate action to demonstrate this humility?
Day 2: Humility as a Safeguard in Success
Even in moments of spiritual success, humility is essential to prevent pride from taking root. God often allows humbling circumstances to remind us of our dependence on Him. Josiah's life illustrates this truth, as he remained humble despite his achievements. Embracing humility safeguards our spiritual journey, keeping us aligned with God's will and open to His guidance. [04:14]
1 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV): "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent success or achievement. How can you ensure that pride does not take root in your heart, and what steps can you take to remain humble before God?
Day 3: Humility Invites Divine Favor
Humility creates a space for God to fill with His love and blessings. When we humble ourselves, we invite God's mercy and grace into our lives. This act of humility is a path to divine favor and spiritual growth, as it aligns us with God's will and opens us to His transformative power. [36:05]
James 4:6 (ESV): "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you create space in your life for God's love and blessings through humility today? How can you actively seek His favor and grace?
Day 4: Strength through Humility
True humility strengthens us, making us bold in our faith and effective in our service to others. By aligning ourselves with God's will, we open ourselves to His transformative power. Humility is not a sign of weakness but a source of strength that empowers us to live out our faith with courage and conviction. [38:04]
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Reflection: How can you embrace humility as a source of strength in your life today? What specific actions can you take to serve others with boldness and faith?
Day 5: Humility through Self-Reflection
Reflecting on our sins and the grace that sustains us leads to genuine humility. By acknowledging our weaknesses and the justice of God's judgments, we cultivate a humble spirit that is pleasing to God. This self-reflection is essential for spiritual growth and alignment with God's will. [18:37]
Lamentations 3:40-41 (ESV): "Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord! Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven."
Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on your life and identify areas where you need God's grace. How can you cultivate a humble spirit through self-reflection and acknowledgment of your weaknesses today?
Quotes
Josiah was very earnestly engaged in a devout work for God he was cleansing beautifying and repairing The Temple at Jerusalem while this was being done a copy of the book of the laws being found it was carried to the king and the king at once diligently perused it while reading it he discovered certain terrible penalties threatened to idolators and other off offenders and knowing that his subjects had for successive years been guilty of the offenses thus condemned he felt persuaded that the righteous judgments of God would come upon them greatly alarmed though himself personally innocent of the guilt he rent his clothes wept and humbled himself before the most high. [00:34:36]
I take it that the reason was this God had much love towards Josiah and having honored him to rebuild a temple he knew the natural tendency of the human heart to Pride and therefore with a holy jealousy for one he loved so well he sent him this discovery of the book of the law to keep him humble at the time when otherwise he might have been exposed to Peril by the lifting up of his heart. [02:12:52]
Learn from this that you and I in the midst of a career of success from God when our heart is most pure and most right must not therefore expect that all things will go smoothly but may rather for that very reason expect to experience humiliating circumstances like Paul when favored with an abundance of Revelations we may expect to Thorn In the Flesh lest we should be exalted above measure disclosures of our own weakness and sinfulness are often made to us at the very time when God is honoring us most in order that our vessel May may be able to endure a strong and fair wind of divine favor. [03:50:56]
I say an act not a Grace or estate it is not said that Josiah was humble he was so or he would not have trembled at God's word all graces are in all Christians in a measure in every Christian there is the germ of every virtue just as in every well-formed child there is every muscle and sinue and nerve and Bone though all are far from being fully developed yet it is there so in each Christian there exists humility with all the Kindred Graces though it is as yet in some scarcely perceptible and in others is far removed from Perfection. [05:13:88]
He humbled himself he confessed his share in the Sin which God condemned he acknowledged on his own part the justice of God in threatening such punishments he stripped himself of his Royal array he made no mention of services which he had rendered to God in the temple he mentioned not his own generosity and having given of his treasure measures to the decorations of the house of the Lord but he came as that poor Publican is described as coming in our Lord's famous Parable not daring to lift so much as his eyes towards heaven but smiting upon his breast and crying God be merciful to me a sinner. [07:25:39]
Thou did humble thyself thou did not talk about humbling thyself but thou did humble thyself thou did not bid others to do it but thou did humble thyself it became to thee a personal matter of obligation and thou did not oppose own that obligation or look at it and commend it and say when I have a more convenient season I will send for thee but thou did humble thyself really sincerely truly and in very deed thou didst in thine own proper person bow thyself to the very dust before the most high. [08:37:19]
It is vain to put on sackcloth and to Bow your head like a bull rush before men unless your heart abases itself before God outward mourning and fasting are not humiliation neither do God care for them if the heart be absent Rend your hearts and not your garments let your souls be humbled and your spirits contrite dear friends we want more and more to walk in our faith before God away with that Holiness which consisteth in respect to the forms and customs of society away with that religion which flaun itself before the staring eye of a fellow mortal. [12:44:56]
Josiah was really broken in heart he did not struggle to get himself down where he should be but he was down at the foot of The Mercy Seat he cast himself as a true brokenhearted penitent Brethren beloved it is an easy thing to say I would be humble but to be humble before God is another thing and to begin the sacred work of humiliation before the most high is no great thing but to continue in it until at last you can say out of the depths have I Cried unto thee Oh God this is a blessed work and you need the assistance of the spirit of God in it. [14:35:39]
Think my brethren what you are by Grace you were chosen of God according to his purpose chosen not for good in you but chosen because he would choose you because he will have mercy on whom he will have mercy and will have compassion on whom he will have compassion you were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold but with the precious blood of Christ you were so lost that nothing could save you but the sacrifice of God's only begotten think of that and as Jesus stooped for you bow yourselves in loneliness At His Feet. [22:17:32]
Humiliation of Soul always brings a positive blessing with it the old philosophers were won to assert as a law of matter nature a vacuum this old dictum is out of date nowadays but still it is true spiritually so then if you and I empty ourselves depend upon it God will fill us divine grace seeks out and fills a vacuum make a vacuum by humility and God will fill that vacuum by his love he who desires sweet communion with Christ should remember the word of the Lord to this man will I look even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit and trembleth at my word. [35:41:59]
I know of no man who is so courageous before his fellow man as he that bows before his God my knee shall Bend to God and God alone but if my knee never bends to God you may depend upon it it will soon be bending when I do not want it to do so it will tremble before the face of men if you fear God with a deep and Powerful fear you shall fear nobody else you should be able to say before a fierce Tyrant like Nebuchadnezzar with the three holy children be it known unto thee oh King that we will not serve thy Gods nor worship the golden image which thou has set up. [37:56:71]
There are some professors whom God cannot bless because they would grow intolerably proud if they were blessed I heard a dear brother say that he believed God blessed us all up to the full measure and extremity of what it was safe for him to do and I believe he does so if you do not get a blessing it is because it is not safe for you to have one if our heavenly father were to let you be successful in his holy war you would run away with the crown yourself and meeting with an enemy you would fall a victim so that you are kept low for your own safety. [39:41:56]
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