King Josiah was 8 years old when he became king. (2 Kings 22 – 23). When he was 18, the Book of Law was found in the temple and read to the him, and the king wept and tore his clothes. Even though he had in his short life followed the “ways of his father David” completely, turning “neither to the left nor the right,” he realized the people had not followed the Way of the Lord.
King Josiah instructed the high priest, the king’s secretary, the king’s attendant, and one other to inquire of Huldah the prophetess the meaning of the Law that was in the Book that was found in the temple. After hearing her answer, and the Word from the Lord:
1Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 2He went up to the temple of the Lord with the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the prophets—all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord. 3The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord—to follow the Lord and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant.
Then King Josiah went throughout the land and destroyed all the idols and “high places” where the priests had burned incense to other gods. He removed from the Temple any and every semblance of false gods, and instructed the people to do the same in their homes. He destroyed Topheth where people would sacrifice their sons and daughters in the fire to Molek.
24Furthermore, Josiah got rid of the mediums and spiritists, the household gods, the idols and all the other detestable things seen in Judah and Jerusalem. This he did to fulfill the requirements of the law written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had discovered in the temple of the Lord.
25Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.
Josiah had a steadfast spirit.
In the end of Paul’s letter to the Church at Colossae, he said:
2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Then he mentions his friend Epaphras:
12Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
Peter wrote: (1 Peter chap 1)
13Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Then in chapter 5 Peter exhorted the Elders of the church to be shepherds and examples to the church. Then to the “younger” (those who are members, not elders) he said:
5In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”
6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
10Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51)
Definition of steadfast (Merriam-Webster)
1a : firmly fixed in place : immovable
b : not subject to change
2 : firm in belief, determination, or adherence : loyal
THE RIGHT RENDITION 