“During the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David…
The rest of the events of Josiah’s reign and his acts of devotion…from beginning to end—all are recorded in The Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah.”
2 Chronicles 34:3; 35:26-27 NLT
Josiah was only eight years old when he became king, and only sixteen when he began to seek God. Perhaps that’s the reason that in the twenty-three years between today’s verses, this young king led his people in amazing acts of devotion.
How many sixteen-year-olds put aside their own passions to seek God? Or how many older people bravely stand against evil? Josiah’s pursuit of God resulted in years of demolishing idols, shrines, and pagan altars with a vengeance. After purifying the land, he moved on to repairing the Temple, and in the process, the Book of the Law was found. Upon hearing God’s Word, King Josiah humbled himself before the Lord, realizing that Judah had not followed God’s ways for decades. So, he led the people in renewing their covenant with God and in celebrating the Passover like had never been done since the days of the prophet Samuel.
Such acts of devotion recorded about Josiah’s life cause me to ponder mine: Do I demolish idols that sneak into my life? Am I open to repairs that need to be made in my temple? Do I humble myself to follow God’s ways instead of my own?
No matter our age, it’s never too late to begin to seek God.
And acts of devotion will automatically follow!
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