2 Kings 22:18-20
Josiah hears God. We know this from the moment we meet him.
“[Josiah] did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right or to the left” (22:2). Maintaining the status quo would have been so easy for Josiah: following the footsteps of the kings who came before him who disregarded God’s way and acted as they saw fit regardless of what God called them to do. Instead, Josiah listens to God’s messages, even when the words are hard to hear and cause him pain.
God hears Josiah. Huldah’s prophecy does not end with the destruction of Judah because God is not finished speaking. The prophet continues. Because Josiah hears God and takes the words of the Lord seriously, the king will be spared from the desolation coming to his people. God is going to shower Josiah with grace and give him a peaceful end because God hears Josiah’s faithfulness and repentance.
God hears us. The psalmist proclaims, “But I call upon God, and the LORD will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he will hear my voice” (Ps 55:16-17).
We Christians sing about the privilege we have to talk to God about anything and everything. Like Josiah, we never need to doubt that God hears us when we call. God hears everything—our laughter and rejoicing as well as our weeping and yelling. God hears.
Consider
What does it mean for you to listen to God? What does it mean for God to listen to you?
Pray
Listening God, at times we wonder if you hear us. We feel our voices get lost in the cacophony of this world. Remind us that you are indeed listening. You hear us speaking and you care what we have to say. Amen.