July 4

God Wants Me to Do What Is Right

In the sight of the Lord
2 Kings 22:1-22

Read the Bible through:
AM - Ezra 7-8 : PM - Acts 4:1-22

And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left" (2 Kings 22:2).

What a glowing testimony to a person's influence! "Did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left" meant that King Josiah did not compromise morally or spiritually. Today we hear countless alibis for heinous crimes; "Oh, his parents were bad; so he just couldn't help it." "His environment was so terrible, so what could you expect?"

In this passage David is referred to as Josiah's father. This means Josiah was in the lineage of David. Second Kings 21 makes it plain that Josiah's father, Amon, and his grandfather Manasseh were corrupt.

Josiah rose above the filth of his forebears, restoring godliness and worship of the Lord to the land. On Independence Day, may we pray for leaders like Josiah, who will "break the mole" and govern by the highest godly convictions.

Lord God. On this day of celebration, help me to do that which is right in Your sight.