Imagine being put in charge of a whole country. You’d have to make big decisions every single day. That would be scary for a grown-up, so imagine being a little kid! That’s exactly what happened to Josiah. His story shows that you’re never too young to follow God.
An Eight-Year-Old King
Josiah became king of Judah when he was only eight years old. The kings before him had done lots of evil things, but Josiah chose a different path.
2 Kings 22:2 He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.
Josiah didn’t just follow the crowd. He followed God.
The Lost Book
When Josiah grew up, he had workers fix God’s temple. While they were cleaning, they found something amazing: the Book of the Law, God’s Word, which had been lost for years! When Josiah heard what it said, he was so upset that he tore his robes (2 Kings 22:11). He realized his people hadn’t been obeying God. So he read God’s Word to everyone, and they promised to follow it with all their hearts (2 Kings 23:3).
Never Too Young
God can use kids to do big things. Paul told his young friend Timothy, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). You can set an example by being honest, being kind, and obeying God’s Word, even when your friends don’t.
The Takeaway
You’re never too young to follow God and obey his Word. This week, before you react to something, stop and ask, “Is this what God wants me to do?” Then choose to be honest, kind, and obedient.
