What does Josiah's example teach about prioritizing God in our youth? Josiah seeks God while still young “In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his father David, and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, Asherah poles, carved images, and molten images.” (2 Chronicles 34:3) • Josiah was about sixteen when he “began to seek.” He did not wait for adulthood to get serious about faith. • His first instinct was relationship, not reform. Reform flowed out of relationship four years later. • Seeking God set the trajectory for an entire nation; one teenager’s devotion reshaped a culture bent on idolatry. Why starting early matters • Psalm 119:9—“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word.” Early pursuit protects. • Ecclesiastes 12:1—“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.” Youthful remembrance wards off later regret. • 1 Timothy 4:12—“Let no one despise your youth; but set an example…” God expects influence now, not someday. • Proverbs 8:17—“Those who seek Me early find Me.” Early seekers receive early guidance. Marks of a youth who prioritizes God • Personal seeking—private prayer, Scripture reading, honest questions. • Courageous cleansing—willingness to tear down personal “high places” (habits, media, friendships) that compete with God. • Public influence—using school, sports, and social platforms to point others to Christ. • Continual growth—Josiah kept reforming for years; spiritual hunger is never “one and done.” Practical steps for today 1. Schedule a daily “eighth-year” moment—set aside unhurried time with God before the day’s demands pile up. 2. Keep a journal of discoveries—note verses, prayers, and actions taken, mirroring Josiah’s intentionality. 3. Identify and remove idols—ask, “What steals my affection for Christ?” then act decisively. 4. Seek godly mentors—like Hilkiah and Jeremiah were to Josiah, find older believers who nurture zeal. 5. Serve now—join church ministries, lead Bible studies at school, volunteer in the community. Encouraging promises to cling to • Proverbs 3:5-6—He “will make your paths straight.” Early trust secures clear direction. • Jeremiah 29:13—“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Whole-hearted youth meet a whole-hearted God. • Psalm 32:8—“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.” Divine guidance accompanies youthful obedience. Josiah shows that teenagers are not spiritual placeholders—they can be culture shapers. Prioritizing God early lays a foundation for lifelong faithfulness and far-reaching impact. |
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