Enjoy Life, Enjoy God
GOLLY
July 14, 2011
Gomer Pyle used to cry, "Golllllee!" He'd see a wonder, something that surprised him, and out he would spurt his trademark of amazement, "Golly, surprise, surprise!"
"Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people...and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I also have heard you, declares the Lord."
- 2 Kings 22:19 TNIV
After King David and Solomon died, the kings of Israel and Judah are a shameful bunch--godless crooks and charlatans, but every now and then a faithful king would rise up from the royal slime. Josiah became king of Judah, and he ordered a restoration and clean up of the Temple. In the course of the remodeling, someone found an old scroll, a book, in the basement dust and filth. They brought the book to the king, and he realized it was the Bible, the Word of God, something that was all but forgotten even in the Temple! "Golly, surprise, surprise!" The Words cut through the heart of Josiah, and he repented of his sin, and the sins of his people. He ordered a reformation. Truth is it was too late for many, but not for all.
The restoration of the Word of God during the Josianic Reformation brought new life to countless people. And so it continues. "Because your heart was responsive..." How about it? Isn't it time we followers of Christ shook the dust off our Bibles, and those words actually guided the way we live, as opposed to using our Bibles like a rabbit's foot?
Joyfully,
Dale Patterson