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Introduction:
Can you imagine an eight year old as our nation’s president?
Probably not, especially since the constitution states that a
president must be at least 35. And, of course, we see the good
reason behind this law. Someone under 35 could not possibly have
the wisdom to rule a country. They need more experience and
knowledge. Certainly, this is generally true. However, it is not
absolute. In fact, even children can be exceptionally wise, though
perhaps, the world would not see them as such. Children can be
exceptionally wise by simply trusting God and serving Him. In
ancient Judah, there was an eight year old king. His name was
Josiah (II
Kings 22-23; II Chronicles 34-35). As with all the kings,
the Bible does not reveal every detail of his kingship. However,
in both accounts of his reign the Bible places God’s stamp of
approval on his entire reign, from childhood to adulthood. What we
see is how great a child can be and how a child can grow up to be
a great adult. God summarized Josiah’s reign in II
Chronicles 34:2, saying, “And he did what was right in
the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of his father David;
he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.” Discussion: I.
Josiah did what was right in the sight of the Lord. A.
One of the interesting things about this statement is the
growth seen in Josiah. This statement is used to summarize his
entire reign. Yet, his service to the Lord increased throughout
the years. In II
Chronicles 34:3, the scripture claims that he started
seeking the Lord in the 8th year of his reign, while he was still
young (16 yrs. old). It also says that he started to purge Judah
and Jerusalem of high places and carved images in the 12th year of
his reign (20 yrs. old). According to II
Chronicles 34:8ff, the 18th year of his reign (26 yrs.
old) was when he was having the temple repaired and the book of
the Law was found. B.
Though he had been seeking the Lord and making improvements
for at least 10 years, II
Chronicles 34:19ff says he tore his clothes when he heard
the law. Even with all his improvements, he still was not
completely following God’s law. When the Law was found, he did
not rest saying, “Surely what I have already done is good
enough.” Rather, the more he learned the more he submitted. God
said of him in II
Chronicles 34:26-28, Josiah would not face the punishment
that would come on Judah because when he heard God’s law he
submitted. C.
There are two things that you need to learn from this. 1.
No matter how old you are, you should apply what you learn
and hear. Serving God is not for adults. It is for everyone. How
easily could Josiah have said that he was only 16, he would start
seeking God later. If you are 8, 16, 20, 26 or any other age,
serving the Lord is your responsibility. When you read your Bible
consider how you should live. When you hear sermons, consider how
they should apply to you. When you attend Bible classes, don’t
just have fun, learn what God’s will is and do what He says. 2.
No matter how old you get or how much improving you have
done, do not rest on past service and accomplishment. How easily
could Josiah have heard the Law read to him at age 26 and said,
“Well, I don’t think God will judge me harshly, after all, I
did start seeking him 10 years ago and I have cleaned up a lot of
the idolatry.”? Instead, he realized what he had done before was
not enough; he had to keep on growing. He had to keep on
submitting. If you want to be a great child, like Josiah, and grow
into a great adult, like Josiah, then you have to follow his
example and keep submitting no matter what you learn. II.
Josiah walked in the ways of David. A.
Josiah’s father and grandfather had been wicked kings. No
doubt, Manasseh had repented in the later years of his reign (II
Chronicles 33:12-13), but Amon had simply returned to the
wickedness he had seen for most of his life. Josiah, however, did
not follow their examples. He looked back to the reputation of the
greatest king of Israel’s history—David. B.
Let’s face it, there are numerous examples out there.
Some are good and some are not. Even as a child you need to start
discerning between whose example to follow and whose to disregard.
Certainly, as you grow, you will grow in this ability. But don’t
wait until you are older and have already molded your character to
start thinking about who you want to be like. C.
When considering a role model, do not look around at other
children your age. They have just as much to learn from others as
you do. Rather, consider some of the following: 1.
First and foremost, Jesus needs to be your role-model. As I
Peter 2:21 demonstrates, Jesus’ life is an example for
us. He should be your ultimate role-model. 2.
Secondly, consider some of the great Bible characters. Paul
even told the Corinthians to imitate him as he imitated Christ (I
Corinthians 11:1). Also, note Hebrews
6:12-13. You should imitate those who had faith and
patience, like Abraham. In fact, in our Vacation Bible School you
will learn about some of these great characters: Elijah, Elisha,
David, etc. 3.
Third, take note of those whom you know here in the church
who live faithfully. As Hebrews
13:7 says, you can look at people like the elders who have
lived faithfully and follow their example. Though, this is not
restricted just to elders. Look around you at the members of this
congregation. Do you see any whose character is worthy of
imitation, because they are imitating Christ. Look up to them as
role-models and follow in their ways. D.
Through picking out good role-models, you can be a great
child and you will grow up to be a great adult and a great servant
of God. III.
Josiah did not turn to the right or to the left. A.
Here we come to perhaps the most important point.
Josiah’s childhood and adulthood were stamped with God’s
approval, because he was not a flash in the pan. He did not start
his service as a child and then turn away as he got into
adulthood. He kept on growing. This is not to say that he did not
make any mistakes. Everyone sins (Romans
3:23). The key is that he got on God’s path and he
stayed there. B.
Here is a sad thing among children today. We baptize too
many children who get into high school and then college and fall
away. What happens during those years? I do not know. Perhaps it
is the peer pressure. Perhaps it is just the desire for
independence from parents. Perhaps it is a desire to “do your
own thing” for a while. Whatever the case, there are far too
many young people who turn to the right and to the left. Solomon
addresses this age in Ecclesiastes
11:9-10. Do you want to be independent? That is fine. Do
you want to do your own thing? That is fine. But remember that you
will stand before God in judgment. Josiah was judged by God.
However, because he had stayed true to the Lord, submitting to all
he had learned and continually grew, he was rewarded, not
punished. C.
Do not allow your worldly peers to turn your head away from
God’s path. Remember that the way unto life is narrow and most
of your friends will not follow it (Matthew
7:13-14). However, you do not want to join them on their
path to destruction. Solomon gave his son this same good advice in
Proverbs
4:20-27. Look straight ahead. Focus on the goal. Do not
even look to the right or the left, let alone turn in those
directions. Follow the path of God always. D.
At a time in his life when most young people strive to be
independent of God, Josiah worked to draw closer to God. If you
would be a great child and grow into a great adult, follow
Josiah’s example and never turn to the right or the left. Conclusion: When I read stories like Josiah’s, I am amazed. But I am constantly reminded that God does not expect us to wait until we are fully mature to start serving Him. Whatever service you can offer, no matter how old you are, God wants it now. Don’t put off serving Him. Don’t wait until you understand everything. Start doing what you understand right now. Follow after honorable role-models, making a commitment right now to never let anything turn you to the right or to the left from God’s will.
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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