Memory Verses: And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 34:32 | 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

When Josiah began to reign at age eight, his behavior proved that he had been a student of good leadership. This is the reason we are exhorted to train up a child. See in Josiah’s early days, how a child was more faithful than some of us who claim to need no supervision. When God purposed to destroy the wicked for their many transgresses against Him, yet remembered Josiah and set him above the multitude – not be destroyed.

26 And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard; 27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD. 28 Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again. 2 Chronicles 34:1-2

There are people around the world who are suffering because of other people who refuse to submit to God’s divine will. Sadly, most of what the masses object to concerning Christ has nothing to do with the Lord, himself – but they make excuse for immorality by casting blame for this and that. And since they can not punish God whom they neither see nor know – though some even read the Word!  (John 5:39), thus they persecute Christians.

If you are reading this, you likely have the freedom to serve God of your own accord, at a time and place of your choosing. You could even walk through your neighborhood, carrying a Bible and shouting, “Jesus Loves You,” and total strangers may even join you as you walk along. At least, you would not be jailed for carrying Good News and a message of hope.

Many Kings of whom we read served God and commanded entire kingdoms to do likewise. Many others also were unfavorable and committed all manner of abomination, including sacrificing their own children to fake gods. The value of freedom is not just the liberty to do whatever with your own life. You are free to free others.

18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Luke 4:18-19

Have you been the subject of hurtful gossip? Have you been shunned by the latest click? Are you the last one to get picked for the team? Is someone posting messages that don’t have your name on them, but you know it’s about you? (2 Chronicles 36:15-16) Is this enough to make you stop serving God?

If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and [if] in the land of peace, [wherein] thou trustedst, [they wearied thee], then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan? Jeremiah 12:5

2 Corinthians 4

1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you. 13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; 14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are notseen are eternal.