Perseverance in Praise: The Legacy of Josiah

Praise is not just a suggestion but a command, and it requires action—clapping, singing, dancing, or lifting our voices. Sometimes, life presses in so hard that we must “beat out a place” to praise God, pushing past heaviness and distraction to honor Him. Psalm 150 reminds us that praise is multifaceted, involving every part of our being and every instrument at our disposal. God is always present and faithful, and He desires our active, vocal praise.

Turning to the story of Josiah, the last good king of Judah, we see a life marked by devotion and reform. Despite a troubled family background, Josiah sought God from a young age, purged the land of idols, restored the temple, and led the people back to the Word of God. His reign was a bright spot in a dark time, and his death was deeply mourned. The lamentation over Josiah was not just about grief, but about the loss of a leader who refused to quit, who fought for righteousness even when it cost him everything.

Lamentation, as seen in the Bible, is more than weeping or expressing sorrow. True lament should point us toward repentance, righteousness, and the mercy of God. It is a process that, if we allow it, can move us from grief to hope, from sorrow to praise. The danger is in getting stuck in lament—dwelling only on loss or pain—rather than letting it propel us toward God’s goodness and purpose.

Josiah’s legacy is not just his reforms, but his refusal to quit. He fought for his people, for God’s ways, and for what was right, even when the odds were against him. This spirit of perseverance is what we are called to emulate. Life will bring storms, disappointments, and reasons to grieve, but our response should be to keep fighting, keep praising, and keep trusting in God’s faithfulness. The testimonies of the saints who have gone before us remind us to focus on God’s goodness, not just our struggles. In every lament, let it be said that we did not quit, but pressed on in faith, declaring the victory and goodness of our God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Praise is an active, vocal response to God’s presence and faithfulness. It is not enough to be silent or passive; true praise requires us to engage our whole being, even when circumstances make it difficult. Sometimes, we must intentionally create space in our lives to praise, pushing past the weight of the world to honor God as He deserves. [00:56]
• 2. Lamentation is not just about expressing sorrow, but about allowing grief to point us toward repentance, righteousness, and the mercy of God. Biblical lament is meant to move us forward, not keep us stuck in pain. When we lament, we should look for God’s direction and purpose, letting sorrow become a catalyst for spiritual growth and renewed hope. [19:19]
• 3. Josiah’s life teaches us the power of godly influence and the importance of seeking God wholeheartedly, regardless of our background or circumstances. Even without a godly father, Josiah was shaped by his mother and a priest, showing that one faithful influence can change the course of a life—and a nation. We must be intentional about who and what shapes our hearts and minds. [13:37]
• 4. The refusal to quit, even in the face of overwhelming odds or personal cost, is a mark of true faith. Josiah’s willingness to fight for what was right, even unto death, stands as a challenge to us not to give up on God, His Word, or His people. Perseverance in faith is not about never facing hardship, but about never surrendering to it. [28:39]
• 5. Our testimonies and the stories we tell should focus on the goodness and faithfulness of God, not just our struggles or the attacks of the enemy. The saints of old were remembered for their praise and gratitude, not their complaints. Let every lament and every testimony become a declaration of God’s victory and a banner of hope for those who follow. [37:11]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:56] - The Call to Praise in the Sanctuary
• [03:19] - God’s Faithfulness and Presence
• [05:06] - Introducing the Lamentation of Josiah
• [06:55] - Understanding Lamentation and Weeping
• [08:50] - The Role of Lamenters in Ancient Israel
• [11:14] - Josiah’s Early Life and Godly Influence
• [13:37] - Josiah’s Reforms and Return to God
• [17:13] - The Lamentation Over Josiah’s Death
• [19:19] - The Purpose of Lament: Repentance and Direction
• [20:32] - Moving Beyond Grief to God’s Purpose
• [22:56] - Josiah as a Type of Christ
• [28:39] - The Power of Not Quitting
• [32:47] - Perseverance and the Church
• [34:06] - Testimonies of the Faithful
• [37:11] - Focusing on God’s Goodness
• [39:39] - Turning Lament into Victory
• [41:43] - The Folded Napkin: A Sign of Victory
• [44:37] - Thanking God for Deliverance and Victory

Bible Reading

1. Psalm 150 (ESV) — > Praise the Lord!
> Praise God in his sanctuary;
> praise him in his mighty heavens!
> Praise him for his mighty deeds;
> praise him according to his excellent greatness!
> Praise him with trumpet sound;
> praise him with lute and harp!
> Praise him with tambourine and dance;
> praise him with strings and pipe!
> Praise him with sounding cymbals;
> praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
> Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
> Praise the Lord!

2. 2 Chronicles 35:23-25 (ESV) — > And the archers shot King Josiah. And the king said to his servants, “Take me away, for I am badly wounded.” So his servants took him out of the chariot and carried him in his second chariot and brought him to Jerusalem. And he died and was buried in the tombs of his fathers. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. Jeremiah also uttered a lament for Josiah; and all the singing men and singing women have spoken of Josiah in their laments to this day. They made these a rule in Israel; behold, they are written in the Laments.

3. Lamentations 3:22-24 (ESV) — > The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
> his mercies never come to an end;
> they are new every morning;
> great is your faithfulness.
> “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
> “therefore I will hope in him.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Psalm 150, what are some of the ways we are called to praise God? (clapping, singing, dancing, instruments, etc.)
2. What actions did King Josiah take during his reign that made him stand out as a good king?
3. In 2 Chronicles 35, how did the people of Judah and Jerusalem respond to Josiah’s death?
4. What does the sermon say is the difference between lamenting and just being stuck in grief?

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says praise is not just a suggestion but a command, and it requires action. Why do you think God wants us to praise Him with our whole being, even when it’s hard?
2. Josiah’s life was shaped by godly influences, even though his father was not godly. What does this suggest about the power of influence in our own lives?
3. The lamentation over Josiah was not just about grief, but about the loss of a leader who refused to quit. What does it mean to “refuse to quit” in the context of faith?
4. The sermon says that true lament should move us toward repentance, righteousness, and the mercy of God. How can grief or sorrow actually help us grow spiritually?

Application Questions

1. The sermon says sometimes we have to “beat out a place” to praise God, especially when life feels heavy. What are some practical ways you can make space for praise in your daily routine, even when you don’t feel like it?
2. Josiah was influenced by his mother and a priest, not his father. Who are the people or voices shaping your faith right now? Are there any influences you need to limit or seek out more intentionally?
3. The sermon warns about getting stuck in lament and not moving forward. Is there an area of your life where you feel “stuck” in grief, disappointment, or regret? What would it look like to let God use that sorrow to point you toward hope or a new direction?
4. Josiah refused to quit, even when it cost him everything. Is there a situation in your life where you’re tempted to give up on God, His Word, or His people? What would perseverance look like for you in that area?
5. The sermon encourages us to focus our testimonies on God’s goodness, not just our struggles. When you share about your life or faith, do you tend to focus more on the problems or on God’s faithfulness? How can you shift your story to be more about God’s victory?
6. The story of the folded napkin at Jesus’ tomb was shared as a sign of victory and not quitting. What is one “banner of victory” you can raise in your life this week—a way to declare, “I’m not giving up”?
7. The sermon says, “Let every lament and every testimony become a declaration of God’s victory and a banner of hope for those who follow.” Who in your life needs to hear a story of hope from you right now? How can you share it with them this week?