King Josiah
The people of God had put their trust in their kings instead of in God, and had forgotten God. They were not living by God’s law. Somehow, in the midst of the chaos, God brought forth a good king, King Josiah, who began to rule at the age of eight. Can you imagine becoming king when you’re 8 years old??? Then, when he was still young - 18 - the high priest Hilkiah found the book of the law (probably Deuteronomy). The fact that it had been lost is crazy - it’s kind of like if the United States misplaced the Constitution! Hilkiah found it, maybe in some dusty corner, and brought it out. When King Josiah read it, he realized that his nation had not followed the law of God. Instead of getting defensive about it, or say, “Well, we didn’t know!” he repented. He felt awful, and felt sure that God was going to get very angry and punish the people. Speaking through the prophetess Huldah, God told Josiah that indeed God was angry, but because Josiah had been faithful, God would not punish the people while Josiah was alive. Then young King Josiah led his people in repenting and turning their hearts back to God. Josiah became king at an impossible age and was faced with an impossible task (leading the people back to God), but he was faithful to God and able to do God’s good work. When we’re really in tune with God, really listening, sometimes we realize that we have been doing things that are wrong. When that happens, we repent (which means to literally turn our back on our wrong behavior), and by God’s grace we can do better.
Read It
Do It

Repentance
1. Practice Repentance. First, add a simple line to your prayers that asks God to show us things we can do better. Then try making the realization and the change physical. For example, turn in a complete circle each time you do or are tempted to do something that hurts others. This gives a breather and a concrete to make a change. You may also practice telling each other the things at night that you wish had gone differently. For example, a parent might say, “Today when you didn’t put your toys away, I yelled at you. I wish I had been more calm. I am sorry. Tomorrow I will work to be more gentle with you.” Include asking for God’s help in your prayer together.
2. Ash Wednesday: February 26 is Ash Wednesday. Go to your church’s service, and/or consider doing this past Building Faith practice at home.
3. Act it out! Portraying Josiah repenting will be particularly fun. Acting out these stories or telling them with toys will always bring them to life in new ways.
1. Practice Repentance. First, add a simple line to your prayers that asks God to show us things we can do better. Then try making the realization and the change physical. For example, turn in a complete circle each time you do or are tempted to do something that hurts others. This gives a breather and a concrete to make a change. You may also practice telling each other the things at night that you wish had gone differently. For example, a parent might say, “Today when you didn’t put your toys away, I yelled at you. I wish I had been more calm. I am sorry. Tomorrow I will work to be more gentle with you.” Include asking for God’s help in your prayer together.
2. Ash Wednesday: February 26 is Ash Wednesday. Go to your church’s service, and/or consider doing this past Building Faith practice at home.
3. Act it out! Portraying Josiah repenting will be particularly fun. Acting out these stories or telling them with toys will always bring them to life in new ways.
Pray It
God, we want to follow you. We want to obey you. We want to treat others and all of creation with your love. Sometimes we mess up. Help us know when we do things that hurt others, and make us strong enough to say we’re sorry. Help us do better. In Jesus’ name, Amen.