Never Enough
One Year Bible (July 3)
2 Kings 22:3-23:30
NEVER ENOUGH
“All the shine of a thousand spotlights. All the stars we steal from the night sky. Will never be enough. Never be enough.” (From “The Greatest Showman”)
My daughter and I love the movie, “The Greatest Showman”! The music, message, and struggle with the meaning of life are riveting!
Phineas Taylor Barnum was the mastermind behind the world-famous circus spectacle that would come to be known as “The Greatest Showman”.
He grew up a boy that was orphaned without much approval in his life. Although he now had a mansion, fame, a job he loved, and adoring fans, it was never enough. He was always seeking more. He found a singer named Jenny Lind who was as polished as he was “rough around the edges”. Perhaps, this would be his answer.
Jenny Lind's song “Never Enough,” told the story of how towers of gold, the adrenaline rush, the limelight, and the highest fame would never be enough.
You see, Phineas almost lost his family and everything he loved because of his searching for “MORE” which left him with “LESS”.
Our Bible story today left me with so many questions about wanting “MORE” but getting “LESS”.
Our innate "Desire for MORE" is not enough for us and it is not enough for God either. Our very best efforts can't make what is wrong in this world right again.
Yesterday, we looked at Hezekiah’s healing and heartbreak. He was a good king who sought God but stumbled in pride due to his human failing. Like many good kings before him, he was lacking something. What is that something?
By contrast, his heirs, Manasseh and Amon were the epitome of evil. Hezekiah’s son, Manasseh might have been the worst of all of Judah’s kings: “He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, following the abominable practices of the nations that the Lord drove out before the people of Israel.” (2 Kings 21:3)
In fact, “He made his son pass through the fire (child sacrifice), and practiced witchcraft… divination, and the consulting mediums and spiritists…” (2 Kings 21: 5-6) Manasseh led Judah into the
“Lowest of Low’s” and greatly angered the Lord!
After the darkest of times, under Manasseh’s reign, came King Josiah. His name means “God Supports and Heals” and he did just that! King Josiah was God’s greatest reformer!
Sadly, we will learn in today's lesson that even King Josiah's best efforts were not enough...
He became king at the young age of eight years old and reigned for thirty-one years in Jerusalem. “He did right in the sight of the LORD and walked in all the way of his father David, nor did he turn aside to the right or to the left.” ( 2 Kings 22: 2)
King Josiah's zeal for the Lord started at just 12 years of age, and at the age of 26 (in his 18th year as king) he took steps to repair the damages to the house of the LORD, and to the people.
The high priest, Hilkiah, found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. It had not been read, studied, or practiced during the former evil reigns. When the Word of the LORD was read to King Josiah, he tore his clothes in an act of repentance.
King Josiah tore down every idol, read the Word of God to the people, restored the Temple, reinstated the Celebration of the Passover, and returned the glory of worship. He also removed mediums and spiritists. No rock of evil was left unturned!
King Josiah was completely, whole-heartedly faithful to God like no other king before him!
The High Priest sought out a female prophetess, named Huldah, and here is a summary of what she told him, God’s wrath was still burning against the nation of Judah, and it would not be quenched. (22:15-17)
Judah would still face judgment; King Josiah would not! God was moved by Josiah’s humility, obedience, and zeal in bringing about repentance, and restoration of the people to worship God.
Here is the verdict from God, “Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the LORD… I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes will not see the evil which I will bring on this place. (20: 29-30)
Sadly, King Josiah died in battle and the people took Josiah’s son, Jehoahaz, and anointed him, king. Jehoahaz did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his ‘fathers’ had done. He brought back idols and undid all the good of his father, Josiah.
A sad day is coming for the nation of Judah. King Josiah did everything he could to bring “external change”, but the people had “hearts of stone”. They were only changed “for a season” by King Josiah’s persuasion.
God’s wrath could not be appeased... All of King Josiah’s best was…NOT ENOUGH!
What will it take to “EVER BE ENOUGH” to appease the wrath of God and make man right with HIM?
What will it take to fill the void of the human heart with strength and love beyond its own?
“Towers of gold are still too little. These hands could hold the world but it’ll Never be Enough. Never be Enough…
(“Never Enough” from “The Greatest Showman
