King Josiah began his thirty-one year reign over Judah at the early age of eight and he is known to be the last good king to rule over Judah. At the age of sixteen whilst he was “yet a boy” he began to seek God (2 Chronicles 34:3). Others around him were caught up in the idolatry that was rife throughout the nation but Josiah sought God alone and sought him wholeheartedly. He didn't delay pursuing God until he was older so he could enjoy himself in the present and as a king he certainly would have had the means to do as he pleased. We too may be tempted to delay either commitment or service to God so we can pursue our own desires but we ought to be like Josiah and “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth” (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Josiah's life shows that you're never too young to commit yourself to the Lord and to begin serving him.

In Josiah we see a life of service to God accompanied with continuous spiritual growth. After seeking God, he began to purge Judah of its idolatry by breaking down the altars to false gods that surrounded him. His faith had public implications; he challenged the accepted norm of idol worship and wasn't content to seek God privately within the safe confines of his palace whilst his people gave themselves over to sin. Are we sometimes afraid to publicly stand by our faith? If we want to be a light in the world then we can't hide away our faith either as Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others” (Matthew 5:16). As society seemingly shifts further away from God, Christians will need to be prepared to oppose what the majority believes in and this cannot be achieved if we hide our faith away. We ought to live for Christ all week – not just on Sundays.

In the eighteenth year of his reign, Josiah shifted his focus to repairing the Temple and during this process the Book of Law was found again and brought before the King. The book of Law was most likely the book of Deuteronomy only. It was all Josiah had but he valued its teaching. Today we have access to the complete Word of God. How often do we consider the tremendous blessing that this is? Upon hearing the words of the Law, Josiah didn't dismiss it as outdated or irrelevant as it had seemingly been lost for some time but instead it had a profound effect on him as he “tore his clothes” (2 Chronicles 34:19). He didn't pat himself on the back for what he had already achieved but instead he grieved over the nation's disobedience. Josiah didn't evade the words of the Law but instead he heard them and submitted himself to them. We too should “be doers of the word and not hearers only” (James 1:22). Josiah was a hearer and a doer as he was spurred on to have the people renew their covenant with the Lord which reveals his desire to bring people to repentance.

Josiah's life shows a man with a burden on his heart to serve the Lord and it was a tall task as the nation had declined morally and spiritually due to Josiah's predecessors. We may never be in a position of authority quite like Josiah but no matter where God places us we can serve him and seek to be like Josiah who “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord . . . and he did not turn to the right or to the left” (2 Kings 22:2). We, like Josiah, may experience challenges in this life as a result of our faith but, due to his faithful service, God promised Josiah – through the prophetess Huldah – “you shall be gathered to your grave in peace” (2 Chronicles 34:28). We too can know peace beyond this life for eternity through Jesus and this ought to motivate us to persevere through pain or struggles here on earth, for whatever we endure during our lifetime will pale in comparison to Heaven that awaits all believers