Acts of Devotion 虔诚的行径

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Sep 26, 2026, 11:57:48 PMSep 26

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The other events of Josiah’s reign  and his acts of devotion . . . are written  in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. 2 Chronicles 35:26-27

Today's Scripture 2 Chronicles 35:20-27

Today's Insights In addition to authoring Jeremiah, the longest book in the Bible, the prophet Jeremiah also wrote the book of Lamentations, a record of his mourning over the fall of Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians. In 2 Chronicles 35:20-27, we’re told that Jeremiah was also a songwriter, and the songs mentioned were tributes to Josiah, the king of Judah (v. 25). We don’t need to be songwriters, however, to honor the memories of those who’ve gone before us. We can encourage others as we share our memories of them. And we also receive comfort ourselves when we privately reflect on their acts of devotion to Jesus.

Today's Devotion Like all early departures from this life, Joe’s death shocked those who knew him. Just before he died, he’d begun making poor decisions. Now this husband, father, coach, and youth leader would no longer be there for those who’d relied on him.

It’s easy to focus on Joe’s recent bad choices. Yet when his daughter spoke at his funeral, she rightly highlighted how her dad, though flawed like all of us, had served Jesus with his life.

We find something similar in the story of Judah’s King Josiah. When Egypt’s King Necho mounted a military offensive against Babylon, Josiah foolishly “marched out to meet him in battle” (2 Chronicles 35:20). Necho had no intention of attacking Judah (v. 21), and Josiah’s intervention ignored “God’s command” (v. 22). It cost him his life (vv. 23-24).

Though Josiah finished unwisely, the prophet Jeremiah “composed laments for Josiah” (v. 25). The story concludes, “The other events of Josiah’s reign and his acts of devotion . . . are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah” (vv. 26-27). Acts of devotion. A timely epitaph for an untimely death.

It’s good to ponder the apostle Paul’s words: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). As we consider how our heavenly Father sees us in Christ, it’s easy to recall the acts of devotion done by His children who’ve left us.

Reflect & Pray

Who have you lost to death? What acts of devotion might you recall in memory of them?

Thank You, heavenly Father, that You see Your children in Christ.

By Tim Gustafson

“约西亚在位期间的其余事迹和他虔诚的行径……都记在以色列和犹大诸王记上。”（历代志下 35:26-27）

今日经文：历代志下 35章20-27节

今日洞见：先知耶利米不仅撰写了圣经中最长的书卷，耶利米书，还写了耶利米哀歌，其中记录了他因耶路撒冷沦陷于尼布甲尼撒王及巴比伦人手中而发出的哀恸。历代志下 35:20-27 告诉我们，耶利米也是一位作词作曲家，他所写的诗歌是为犹大王约西亚而作的颂歌（25 节）。然而，我们不必非得是作词作曲家，也能纪念那些先我们而去的人。当我们分享关于他们的回忆时，就能以此鼓励他人；而当我们独自追思他们为耶稣所做的虔诚之举时，自己也能从中获得安慰。

今日灵修：像所有英年早逝的例子一样，乔的离世让所有认识他的人深感震惊。在他去世前不久，他开始做出一些错误的决定。如今，这位身兼丈夫、父亲、教练和青年领袖多重身份的人，将无法再陪伴那些曾依靠他的人了。人们很容易把目光聚焦在乔近期所犯的错误上。然而，当他的女儿在葬礼上发言时，她恰如其分地强调了父亲虽像我们所有人一样有缺陷，却用自己的一生侍奉了耶稣。

我们在犹大王约西亚的故事中也看到了类似的情形。当埃及王尼哥对巴比伦发动军事攻势时，约西亚却不明智地“出阵迎战”（历代志下 35:20）。尼哥本无意攻击犹大（21 节），而约西亚的介入却违背了“神的命令”（22 节），这最终让他付出了生命的代价（ 23-24 节）。尽管约西亚的结局并不明智，先知耶利米仍“为约西亚作了哀歌”（25节）。故事的结尾写道：“约西亚其余的事迹和他虔诚的作为……都写在以色列和犹大诸王记上”（26-27节）。对于一个英年早逝的人来说，虔诚的作为，是一句恰如其分的墓志铭。

值得我们深思的是使徒保罗的话：“如今，那些在基督耶稣里的人就不定罪了”（罗马书8章1节）。当我们思想天父如何在基督里看待我们时，便很容易想起那些已经离我们而去的上帝的儿女们所做过的虔诚之举。

反思与祷告你有哪些亲友已离世？在追忆他们时，你会想起他们哪些虔诚的作为？感谢天父，因祢是在基督里看待祢的儿女。