In 2 Chronicles 35 & 36, the chronicler walks us through the end of Josiah's reign as he brought worship and revival back to the land because he chose to seek the Lord and lead the nation under the authority of God. After his passing, 4 kings ruled and brought the nation further and further into sin and ultimately led them straight into exile. God sent warning after warning, but they refused to listen and heed the Words of God that were sent. They stubbornly refused God's Word and chose to do as they pleased instead and it led them into 70 years of captivity. The record ends on a note of hope as the release of the remnant who choose to stand firm in faith in God is noted. They will return to Jerusalem to rebuild God's Temple and restore worship once again. Our lives only rise as high as our worship to God. If we choose to glorify God through the lives He's given us, He will honor our faithfulness and pour out His goodness. He knows it will all be used for His great glory so He joyfully pours out more - all for the spread of His Gospel and the expansion of His eternal Kingdom. If we stay on mission for Him with all our guts, He will blow our minds and hearts out of the waters.
