In the ways of David

It was like an alarm clock next to your ear at 4:50 in the morning, when you've been so used to getting up somewhere significantly after sunrise and shortly before noon. All of a sudden, and there he was. On the throne. And, the Bible adds, he "did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left."

And this wasn't just an inheritance thing. The king before had been wicked: so wicked, in fact, that "his servants conspired against him and slew him in his own house." After that, the people placed his brother on the throne.

Its the brother who's in charge now. The one who's walking after the ways of David.

And he's only 8 years old.

The Bible further records that "in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father:" and not only that but "in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem."

At 16, he committed himself fully to the Lord.

At 20, he began to purge Judah of their idolatry.

At 26, he oversaw the rebuilding and repairing of the ruined house of God.

At 26, he also reinstituted the keeping of the Passover, something that hadn't truly been done in years. The Bible says that "there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet."

Thats a strong statement. Samuel has been dead for YEARS.

He walked in the ways of David. He loved the Lord. He obeyed the commandments and inspired thousands of Jews to do the same.

Josiah reigned for 31 years in Jerusalem. And when he died, at 39, from a wound gained in battle, Judah mourned his loss.

One little boy...

Became one young man...

Who changed EVERYTHING.

I think its safe to say that if you "walk in the ways of David," God can...and WILL... use you to change everything, too.