2 Kings 22:1-2 – Never too young to have a heart for God

Josiah coming to the throne was like a breath of fresh air after two evil and wicked kings who had led the people down the road of destruction. Second Kings 21: 24 tells us that he was made king by the people of the land after they had Ammon, his father’s assassins killed and removed. He was only eight years old when he ascended to the throne and ruled in Jerusalem for 31 years. His mother was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Bozketh. And we are told in 2 Kings 22:2 that “He did right in the sight of the Lord and walked in all the way of his father David, nor did he turn aside to the right or to the left.”

It is not difficult to imagine that many people he was called to lead were way beyond his age. He was just a kid when he was called into an assignment and it’s not an exaggeration to say that the expectation demanded of him was gargantuan for that age. We are not told what he did in the early days of his reign, but in 2 Chronicles 34:3, we are told that when he was young about 16 years old, he began to seek the God of his father David. This is exactly what the verse says. “For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was still a youth, he began to seek the God of his father David…” In other words, Josiah was seriously seeking God when he was a youth.

This tells us that age is not an issue when serving God. We can never be too young for God to use. Remember, David was a youth when God used him to kill Goliath. The more critical issue: does one have a heart for God. No youth should entertain doubts that God wants to use him or her to do great exploits if one's heart is tender toward Him. He can use anyone in a person’s growing years. What He is looking for is a heart that is entirely for Him.

We should never despise a young person seeking to serve the Lord in any leadership capacity. Here are two pieces of advice. The first is from Ecclesiastes 12:1 which says, “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no delight in them.” The second is from the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 4:12. He said, “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” Let us encourage our sons and daughters to factor God into their lives when they are young. It’s never too early to start them on the spiritual journey rightly. There is no telling of what great exploits God can use them to do.