After Josiah had finished restoring the Temple, King Neco of Egypt led his army up from Egypt to do battle at Carchemish on the Euphrates River, and Josiah and his army marched out to fight him. 21 But King Neco sent messengers to Josiah with this message: “What do you want with me, king of Judah? I have no quarrel with you today! I am on my way to fight another nation, and God has told me to hurry! Do not interfere with God, who is with me, or he will destroy you.”22 But Josiah refused to listen to Neco, to whom God had indeed spoken, and he would not turn back. Instead, he disguised himself and led his army into battle on the plain of Megiddo. 23 But the enemy archers hit King Josiah with their arrows and wounded him. He cried out to his men, “Take me from the battle, for I am badly wounded!” 24 So they lifted Josiah out of his chariot and placed him in another chariot. Then they brought him back to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried there in the royal cemetery. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him. 25 The prophet Jeremiah composed funeral songs for Josiah, and to this day choirs still sing these sad songs about his death. 2 Chronicles 35:20-27 New Living Translation
God who speaks,
Josiah the young king who grew up, rediscovered the written books of the Law and reinstated Temple worship and Godly living across his kingdom. This same Josiah went out to meet with King Neco. Perhaps rightly worried he was coming to fight for Jerusalem? But King Neco does not wax political he simple tells Josiah not to worry. He is off to fight another nation.
I would have gone home and been grateful, no war. Josiah instead goes out to fight a war that he has not asked You about or Your prophets. Fighting what was another man’s war! And God through Neco had told him not to.
For me this is a good word of advice. Before getting myself involved with things going on around me I should seek Your wisdom and advice. Sometimes we should get involved to help or protect. But other times it may be none of our business and something You God are doing not involving us. And when we interfere where we should not – no good ever comes of it and maybe even harm? Why do we always think we must find a solution for everything? Keep my nose out of what does not concern it and help me hear Your sound advice.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 16th August 2025
Written in old English but it still has something to say . . .
Teach me, my God and King,
in all things Thee to see,
and what I do in anything,
to do it as for Thee.
A man that looks on glass,
On it may stay his eye;
Or if he pleases, through it pass,
And then the heaven espy.
All may of Thee partake;
Nothing can be so mean,
Which, with this tincture ‘for Thy sake’
Will not grow bright and clean.
A servant with this clause
Makes drudgery divine,
Who sweeps a room, as for thy laws,
Makes that and the action fine.
This is the famous stone
That turneth all to gold,
For that which God doth touch and own
Cannot for less be told.
Lyrics: George Herbert