Thurs., 12/29/16 Devotion (2 Chron. 34:27)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Chronicles 34:27, which finds this be-ing said about the great king Josiah:

" 'Because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,' says the LORD."

A humble, broken, contrite heart is irresistible to the Lord. Josiah was so zeal-ous for God, His house, His word, and His worship. Even after grieving over the punishment that was sure to come because of Judah's past wickedness, Josiah was given by God assurances that none of the calamity would befall the nation, in his lifetime.

As God brings us to true brokenness—it may sting for a while. But the end re-sult is our assurance in Christ that our sins are forgiven; and that we may rest fully and confidently in Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Let God have His will by being holy, and you shall have your will by being happy.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Beatitudes"]