I just read the story of Josiah in 2 Kings a couple days ago. You probably recognize it. Josiah is the king who sets out to repair the temple. So he sends a priest into the treasury to get money out to pay the workmen. But while they’re there, the priest stumbles on the Book of the Law. He takes it back to Josiah and reads it to him. When Josiah hears what’s been written, he realizes that Judah is living in sin. He tears his clothes and mourns for Judah.
Then, he gathers all the people together and has the Book of the Law read to all of them, “great and small”. Through Josiah’s leadership, the people reform their ways and for the first time in many, many years they celebrate the Passover.
In the narrative timeline of 2 Kings, this is a really positive turn. The kind of moment that makes you say, “Yes!”. After reading, “so-and-so reigned in Israel so-many years and did evil in the sight of the Lord…” over and over again, things start to look bleak. Then Josiah comes along and you almost breath a sigh of relief—or you would if it were you first time reading the narrative.
But, the truth is that it didn’t last. Josiah is unexpectedly killed in battle and is succeeded by Johoahaz. Who, guess what, “did what was evil in the sight of the Lord”.
What a let-down. But I think the truth is that most Christians who’ve been walking for more than a few years can really relate to this—whether they recognize it or not. Life is made up of times of great spiritual strength and times of questioning where that strength went. Of course, both are guided by God and, in both, God is the defending agent. As soon as someone is met with their first time of spiritual trouble, they’re also sure to be met with false starts.
By that I mean a temporary resurgence in spiritual fervor. Like all of a sudden, seemingly out of nowhere, there is fresh spiritual vigor. But, whatever was a bring down in the first place probably hasn’t finished causing trouble and the spark of energy is gone almost as quickly as it came.
I’m no foreigner to these ups and downs—and especially not the false start. For me, if I’m not aware of what’s going on, the discouragement can leave me in worse shape than I was in to start with. I’ve found that managing my expectations is fundamental in keeping myself from even deeper discouragement. It’s important to remember that the Spirit is never “business as usual”. He deals with us differently at different times out our life. I have to understand that any “start” could easily be a false start, but even if it is, it is for a reason and I should be patient and not give up hope during that time—whether it lasts or not. God is working all things for my ultimate good.
So, if you’re one who experiences the false starts frequently, or are experiencing one now, or just experienced one, or whatever—keep up hope. God is the defending agent and that’s a lot better than business-as-usual.
