Passage Read: 2 Chronicles 34 - Ezra 1
Meditation Verses: 2 Chronicles 34:1-3
Thought
Josiah was eight years old when he became king, so there were certainly counselors behind him who really ran the kingdom. But these counselors must have been from the latter part of Manasseh's reign, men who honored the Lord, because by sixteen, Josiah determined to seek the Lord, unlike his own father. Josiah listened to those who feared God and turned to the Lord under their influence. As he grew in understanding, he began to purge the land of all the false gods and their places of worship. He was only twenty years old when he began his reforms. And all that without a copy of the Book of the Law!
Application
With the right counselors, young people can become great seekers and servants of the Lord and do great things for the Lord. But they have to be inclined to seek the Lord. They can just as easily choose to follow the evil influences of wicked men or of their own flesh. I shouldn't look down on them or think they can't be mature enough to choose the Lord and commit themselves to serving Him. That misses opportunities and undermines their own confidence to seek and serve the Lord. They need to be called to great things even at a young age. They need to be called to full devotion and dedication even when young. It is not beyond them and it is not too early to ask. They need to be challenged to take their lives seriously, rather than be coddled and trained to remain immature as long as possible.