April 3

Sensitive to Warning

because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its people, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and because you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I have heard you,’ declares the LORD. — 2 Kgs 22:19 BSB

Many despise warnings and perish. Happy is the one who trembles at the Word of God. Josiah did so, and he was spared from witnessing the evil that the Lord determined to bring upon Judah because of its great sins. Do you have this tenderness of heart? Do you practice self-humiliation? Then you too will be spared in the day of trouble. God sets a mark upon those who sigh and cry over the sins of their time. The destroying angel is commanded to keep his sword sheathed until the elect of God are safely sheltered; these are best known by their godly fear and trembling at the Word of the Lord. Are the times threatening? Is unbelief advancing rapidly, and do you fear national judgment upon this sinful nation? You have good reason to be concerned. Yet rest in this promise: "You shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the evil that I will bring upon this place." Even better, the Lord Himself may come, and then our days of mourning will be over.