Youths Arise

2.At 16 he sought the God of his father David according to 2 Chronicles 34:3. Josiah had a desire for God as a young man. Josiah wanted God’s direction. There is a cry for young people who will stand up like David and say, “As the hart panteth for the water brooks, so my soul panteth for you O God”

If as youths we are going to arise and take our rightful place or make a change to our context, we must become God seekers. There needs to be a hunger and thirsting for God among youths today.

David says to us like water is essential for the deer’s survival especially when being pursued, even so his very existence depended on God. Is your soul thirsty for God this morning?

3.At age 20 he began to purge major areas of the kingdom. He was on a path to destroying all sense of idolatry. He burned the bones of the priests who had done sacrifices that were not unto God. He had some of these bones removed from tombs. He broke down ashera poles, smashed idols and images. Then the king went back to Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 34:3b-7).

4.At age 26 he decided to purify the land and the temple (2 Chronicles 34:8-21). It was during this campaign that the book of the law was found. When Josiah read the word he was convicted even more. The bible says, he tore his robe and repented.

He saw what God was saying and immediately started reforms for the nation. How many of us here this morning own a bible, yet so few persons around us are ever affected by the truths found in God’s word. The word should cause us to make changes in line with God’s word that will affect our lives. You will not know what God desires from you if you are not reading the will he left for you. Young people our greatest hurdle is a lack of knowledge and understanding of God’s word.

There needs to be heard a cry like David in Psalm 51, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence; take not your Holy Spirit from me”

The word of God offers a direct plan, an outline as to what man must do to stay connected to God. The question is have we been following the plan.

A. The word guides (Psalm 119:105)

The psalmist says your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. All he is saying is, without your word Lord I would be left in the dark. I would not know where to go or where not to go. But your word offers direction for me.

He took the law and read it to his people and renewed the covenant that they had made with God to live right before him. He reinstated the Passover festival. For all that he tore down and destroyed he replaced with positive things; things that would uplift the people.

Young people, Josiah became king at 8 years old ,and between 16 and 20 ,he began to seek the Lord,and began leading his people back to God. At 26 he brought the nation to it’s pinnacle of change. What are you arising to do?

What can we learn from Josiah’s life?

1. See the problem

2. Seek God (34:3)

3. Start the process for change (34:3b)

4. Stand for godly principles (34:4)

5. Stay the course

Conclusion

“This is the air I breathe”