No Matter Where You Are, Seek God

No matter where you are, seek God and good things will result. Josiah is case in point.

What's amazing is that he comes from a line of self-centered kings. Yet he will stand out.

What's more amazing is who was involved in making Josiah King. His father Amon was betrayed and killed and the people struck back at his assassins and placed Josiah, his son on the throne. 

2 Kings 21:24 (ESV) But the people of the land struck down all those who had conspired against King Amon, and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his place.

What's even more amazing is that Josiah became king at a younger age than even Manasseh.

2 Kings 22:1 (ESV) Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath.

The turn about that Josiah will bring to Judah begins in his 26th year of life when a simple decree to care for the temple is sent out.

2 Kings 22:3–5 (ESV) In the eighteenth year of King Josiah, the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, son of Meshullam, the secretary, to the house of the LORD, saying, 4 “Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may count the money that has been brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the threshold have collected from the people. 5 And let it be given into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the LORD, and let them give it to the workmen who are at the house of the LORD, repairing the house

Now there's more insight into this moment from 2 Chronicles. 

2 Chronicles 34:3 (ESV) For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet a boy, he began to seek the God of David his father, and in the twelfth year, he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, and the carved and the metal images.

At 16 Josiah began to seek God. This would make all the difference in his life. His seeking God led him to inquire about the care and maintenance of the temple at age 26. Why is that? Because the Lord said He would meet with His people in that temple. Josiah, in seeking the Lord, was led to where God dwelt. It's important that we understand, Josiah does not have the Word of God yet. He will find it soon enough. He does not have any religious heritage. In fact, he was born during incredible apostasy. But the truth is that when we seek God He makes Himself known to us. 

In seeking God, Josiah discovers the Word of the Lord.

2 Kings 22:8, 11, 13 (ESV) And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD.”...11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. 12 And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying, 13 “Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found... 

Now we read in this chapter that the nation is doomed and God will speak through Huldah the prophetess that the decree of destruction is inalterable. God will bring judgment upon His nation. But for Josiah, there is a different word and an extended period of peace.

2 Kings 22:18–20 (ESV) But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, thus shall you say to him, Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard, 19 because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the LORD, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD. 20 Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place.’ ” And they brought back word to the king.

I need to emphasize this. Josiah started seeking God where he was. God is not expecting you to know everything about Him or have some advanced theological degree or to be born to a rich Christian heritage for you to make "the cut" into His family. He loves to reveal Himself to those who seek Him. 

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

I think about this: there is a reward awaiting you when you seek God where you are. When you turn away from those around you, stand out, and seek Him.