-August 8, 2022-
Good morning, happy Monday,
“Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty one years in Jerusalem. 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.”
(2 Chronicles 34:1-2).
Josiah was one of the most godly kings of Judah, along with Hezekiah and David. He was the son of Manasseh, who was the most evil kings in Judah. Manasseh lead Judah into vile idolatry, sin, and wickedness. He repented while in exile in Assyria and got right with God, and God restored him to his kingdom. Josiah became king at the tender age of eight years old. From such an early age he sought the Lord just as King David did. He lead many reforms, celebrated a great Passover, and reigned faithfully, and led the people to God.
Normally children have tender hearts toward the Lord. We should always encourage them to follow the Lord, learn God’s Word, and pray. Whenever the child understands the gospel, he must receive Christ. The Scripture is very clear in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” It also says in Deuteronomy 6:7, “And these words which I command you today, shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”
Christian parents have the greatest and most prominent role in the spiritual development of their children. Josiah was only eight but he loved the Lord. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, walked in the ways of David, did not turn to the right hand or to the left, sought the Lord, and purged Judah and Jerusalem of idolatry and sin. All this from the age of eight. His name is mentioned fifty times in the Bible. When the priest Hilkiah found the book of the law in the temple when they were renovating it, he humbled himself and tore his clothes, a sign of deep contrition.
It is highly likely that Josiah’s mother taught him the ways of the Lord. So often this is the case in Christian homes. We owe a tremendous debt of thanks to them for their love, devotion, and faithfulness to the Lord. Many a godly man and servant of the Lord points to his mother as his greatest influence for Christ. In the NT, Timothy had both a godly mother Eunice, and a godly grandmother Lois, who taught and influenced him in the Scriptures. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:5, “When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.”
Paul saw something great in Timothy when he first met him in Derbe and Lystra. He chose him to be with him and to be his mentor and partner in the Lord’s work. He was well spoken of by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium.
Let us follow Josiah’s example of devotion and dedication to the Lord. May we do what is right in God’s sight, not veering off course, either left or right, and seeking the Lord’s will first in all things.
Have a blessed day following the Lord. Stay safe and healthy.
In devotion and dedication,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 