A Tender Heart

A Heart Tender to Gods Word

2 Kings 23:25

What shall we do  to work the works of God? Demonstration is what we do for works of God to be seen (John 6:28). What we do to activate Gods power. Last time we found lessons from Elisha. This time we learn from a king of Judah called Josiah. Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign (2 Kings 22:1). Not only was he young, he took over from his father Manaseh who did more evil than the evil/ungodly nations (2 Kings 21:4-6). But Josiah did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left. He even exceeded David in heart commitment to God. 'And like him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.'  (2 Kings 23:25).

Let's look at three things that Josiah did.

1) He Directed Hearts to the Right Place. Josiah instructed Hilkiah the priest that all the silver be directed to God's work (2 Kings 22:4).  By directing treasure to Gods work Josiah directed his heart and tthose of the people to Gods work. The Lord Jesus taught that where your treasure is that is where your heart goes (Mathew 6:21). The direction of the silver of Gods people tells the spiritual climate. In Josiahs time revival had come. Giving unlocks revival.  Giving tells where ones heart is. Giving breaks the power of the enemy. A closed hand is a closed heaven.

2) He put Gods Word to its Right Place. The book of the law was recovered and received. Josiahs revival secret was his eagerness to obey God' s word. God spoke through prophetess Hulda that  because 'thy heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spoke' (2 Kings 22:22). I will favor you and not let you see the judgement that should come on Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 7:19-22). The heart must not only be in the right place but be of the right condition. Hardness of heart is directly linked to stiffness of neck. God is looking for people with tender hearts towards his word and the needs around them. People who are eager to obey. People who respond to Gods word. People who are teachable and willing to change. People who believe God. People who treasure the word and fill their hearts with it. In the face of challenges the word of God in your heart is more powerful than the word in the bible.  More word in you more power. More word in you more grace. More word in you more blessing, More word in you more peace, More of God we have the more we attract, etc. A tender heart towards God is not weak but all powerfull.

3) He put God to His Right Place. He Restored worship To Yaweh. Josiah knew that in a dark and perverse generation Eskom alone is not enough. He restored the temple.  Rebuilt altars. Made all necessary repairs. Altars were crucial for cleansing and honoring God. Josiah cleaned the temple. You are now the temple of the Holy Spirit. Are you clean? Are there ungodly things/desires you allow to dominate your life, things you emphasize that are not in scripture. what place do you give to money, people, traditions, places, and methods. Time has come to remove articles of Baal from the house of the Lord in order for us to see Gods power like never before. Deal with the cares of life that cloud God's word in your life. We are supposed to hide God's word in our hearts and not to hide it from our hearts like was the case when Josiah arose. Jesus is still driving out the money changers from the temple. His house shall be a house of worship.

 Also Josiah enquired of the Lord (2 Kings 22:13). He sought help from God not the gods of Ekron like Ahaziah (2 Kings 1:2) We seek God's help by being prayerful. He also restored passover. Something even David did not observe.  Constantly go to the cross and receive its blessings. Know God, know your identity, be filled with the Holy Spirit and step out in faith.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa