“Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.”
2 Chronicles 34:1-2

Josiah joins the company of two other kings of whom it is said that they “did what was right in the sight of the LORD.” Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and Josiah are all said to have done “right” in the sight of the Lord.

This word “right” can be connected with the word “blessed” in Psalm 1, where we read, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” The word “blessed” can be translated as “happy.” The path to a happy life is to do what is right in the sight of the Lord!

Obedience is the key to a fulfilled and satisfying life before the Lord. Anything less than complete obedience leaves a void in the heart, and we cannot find true satisfaction and full contentment. David reminds us, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Ps. 119:9-11).

This type of faith and obedience to the Word of God was found in Timothy, as we see in Paul’s instruction to him: “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12). Paul referred to his faith as “genuine faith” in 2 Timothy 1:5, and Timothy had a heart to obey the Word of God, even from childhood (2 Tim. 3:15).

The similarities between Josiah and Timothy are many, and in both cases the Lord rewarded them because they responded to His Word.

Anchor For Today:
What about us today? What is our response to the Word of God? It is good to remember: “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him” (2 Chron. 16:9).