“Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem…And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left” (2 Kings 22:1-2).

“Excuses, excuses, excuses,” the college professor said to his immature student. “Dean, it is time for you to take some responsibility for your actions. I don’t want to hear from you that the assignments are too much, too hard, or unnecessary. Your partying has gotten you nowhere except behind.”

The professor lowered his voice and continued, saying, “Dean, I don’t know if you have ever heard this before, but there was a king in the Old Testament who was only eight years old when he began ruling. Guess what? He did that which was right. Now here you are at twenty-two, and it is time for you to start doing that which is right.”

At first Dean felt anger and resentment. Soon, though, he felt shame and some good old fashioned remorse. This started him on a lifetime journey with the Lord. Our verse is also good for me. I am at the other end of the spectrum. Josiah couldn’t say, “I’m too young to do what is right.” I cannot say, “I am too old to do what is right.” I want to finish well.  I want to walk in the ways of the Lord. How about you?

For today: Walking in the way of the Lord is the best way to live today. May we be as wise as young Josiah!