“Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 2 He went up to the temple of the Lord with the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the prophets—all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord. 3 The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord—to follow the Lord and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant. 4 The king ordered Hilkiah the high priest, the priests next in rank and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the Lord all the articles made for Baal and Asherah and all the starry hosts. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron Valley and took the ashes to Bethel. 5 He did away with the idolatrous priests appointed by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the towns of Judah and on those around Jerusalem—those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations and to all the starry hosts . . . ”
2 Kings 23:1-5 NIV
Lord God,
The Book of the Covenant was found and Josiah determined to correct what was wrong. In worship and in behaviour. And reading the chapter it is clear to see how much was wrong. However taking away religious practices does not change someone’s inner faith and belief. we read that the people pledged themselves to the covenant but I wonder how much was to keep peace with the king and his army?
Josiah restored the Passover with all its symbolism and worship to You, Yahweh. It would instantly remind them of their history when their forefathers were slaves in Egypt. Every part of passover is symbolic of Your leading God, taking them from slavery to the promised land. And not being harmed by the plagues. The way You, God protecting them from death with the blood of the lamb smeared on their doorposts. While all the firstborn of their enemies died.
We too celebrate our freedom from slavery to sin each Sunday as we worship.Many using the symbols of bread and wine. Remembering the death of Your first born and only Son who died to set us free. Help us not to just go through the routine of rituals but come afresh in thanksgiving lest we become complacent and slip.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 10th August 2025
Let us break bread together
Fall down on our knees
And remember the One
Who died for you and me Ah Ah . . .
He said this is my body
And this is My blood
And I give my life freely
For the Bride that I love Ah Ah . . .
Let us drink wine together
Sing praise to His Name
Give thanks for the Lamb
The Lamb Who was slain
He said this is my body,
And this is my blood
And I give my life freely.
For the Bride that I love Ah Ah . . .
He came to heal the broken
Set the captive free
and He said
do this in remembrance of Me
Abba Father we worship you
for all You’ve done
There is none like You
Thank You for sending Your son
As our ransom
Let us worship together
In one accord
Sing songs of the Bridegroom
The One we adore
He said this is my body
And this is My blood
And I give my life freely
for the Bride that I love Ah Ah . . .
He came to heal the broken
Set the captive free
and He said
do this in remembrance of Me
Do this in remembrance of Me
Lyrics: Mia Rushing, Steve Rushing