“Nevertheless the Lord did not turn from the fierceness of His great wrath, with which His anger was aroused against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked Him. 27 And the Lord said, “I will also remove Judah from My sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, ‘My name shall be there.’ ”28 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 29 In his days Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt went to the aid of the king of Assyria, to the River Euphrates; and King Josiah went against him. And Pharaoh Necho killed him at Megiddo when he confronted him. 30 Then his servants moved his body in a chariot from Megiddo, brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own tomb. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, anointed him, and made him king in his father’s place.” 2 Kings 23:26-30 NKJV
“Josiah, however, would not turn away from him, but disguised himself to engage him in battle. He would not listen to what Necho had said at God’s command but went to fight him on the plain of Megiddo.” 2 Chronicles 35:22 NKJV
God who cannot forget,
The Chroniclers again add extra detail to the books of Kings, telling us that You, God gave Josiah opportunity to make peace and not go to war. But he was determined to fight and he lost his life as a consequence. Father I am glad on occasions when I have not listened to You, You have kept me from harm.
And as we have travelled through Kings and Chronicles and listen to the prophets, all we seem to hear is warnings, judgements and consequences. But there is something to be grateful for as I read. Something that makes me wonder and be grateful at Your character and being. You judge and sometimes allow consequences that are hard. But You never abandon or desert or give up on.
Adam and Eve, Noah and his family, Moses the murdered, the Israelites idolatry, the split and antagonism between Israel and Judah and both abandoning You. Nations attacking Your people. And You had already planned ahead. Already planned to hold back final judgement till salvation was offered to all naions. When a solution would be offered voluntarily and at cost only to Yourself. As the Psalmist says, we would finding safety and shelter under the shadow of His wings (Psalm 91:4).
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 2nd July 2026
This version with the Arabic really spoke to my heart and of the pain of our fellow believers around the world – persecuted or in the midst of war . . .
I will dwell in the shadow of your wings.
I will know of the peace your love can bring.
Night will fall but I will not be afraid
When I dwell in the shadow of your wings.
In the shadow, in the shadow,
in the shadow of your wings. (x2)
Safety lies in the shadow of your wings.
I rely on your faithful covering.
Arrows fly but I will not be afraid
When I dwell in the shadow of your wings.
In the shadow, in the shadow,
in the shadow of your wings. (x2)
Lyrics: Cathy Spurr/ Debbie McNeil