Session 11

Learning to do what’s right even when it’s not popular

From 2 Chronicles: A 28-Day Devotional

If everyone else jumps off a bridge would you jump, too? All of us have probably asked or been asked that question before. The heart of the question is this: Are you a leader or are you a follower? Because going with the flow is easy, but thinking independently breaks the status quo.

This was the same question Josiah had to wrestle with throughout his reign. Josiah saw things happening that were not pleasing to God. As the leader, he could follow in the footsteps of those who came before him and ignore it. Or, he could put a stop to the idolatry God abhorred.

Not everything that is popular is going to be right.

By destroying the idols, Josiah showed that he was willing to do what was right even if it wasn’t popular. And even though Josiah didn’t always get it right, his stand against idolatry is what he’s remembered for. “To this day all the male and female singers commemorate Josiah in the laments” (2 Chronicles 35:25).

What we do today will determine how we are remembered. Like Josiah, we will face times when we need to stand up and fight for what we believe in, even when the crowd is doing something else.

Not everything that is popular is going to be right. Often, God’s calling will cause us to create our own path. But we can trust Him never to lead us astray because justice and faithfulness are who He is (Psalm 86:15).

Reflect:

• Has there been a time when you followed the crowd, even though the decision wasn’t best for you?
• Is there anything facing you today that you need to push back on instead of going with the crowd?