2 Chronicles 34

Once again, a king in Judah (Josiah, this time) was trying to reform the spiritual state of the nation. After years of idol worship and evil-doing kings (with little respite in between), here was a king who was determined to seek God and do things His way. And in the process of restoring the temple, the chief priest found the Book of the Law. Apparently, it had been lost—either accidentally or intentionally. Either way, when Josiah heard what was in the Book of the Law, he was quite distraught. He tore his robes and wept.

Following that, he sent a delegation to Huldah, a female prophet who lived in Jerusalem, to ask her what the Lord was planning to do since the people had been so wicked. Her response was just what Josiah had feared: the people were headed for doom because of their insistence upon idol worship. However, God continued: "Tell the king of Judah... 'This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard: Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord. Now I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place and on those who live here.'" (vs 26-28)

Josiah was a good and righteous king. But before the Book of the Law was found, it’s possible that Josiah was even "breaking" some of the rules himself out of ignorance. But the problem God mentions in His answer to Josiah is not breaking the rules, but willful defiance, an unwillingness to listen. This is the problem God is trying to overcome in us. He doesn’t need perfect people. He needs people who will listen.

If we are willing to listen to God, there is nothing He can’t accomplish in us. In fact, if we are willing to listen to God, He already sees us as perfect, because even if we still struggle in the behavior department, our willingness to listen to God will ensure that His good work will be completed in us. For nothing is impossible with God.

Since the beginning of time, God has been speaking. And He’s still speaking today. Do you have your listening ears on?