1 God in the First PlaceSample

THERE IS NO AGE TO PUT GOD FIRST

Based on 2 Chronicles 34:1-7

Introduction:

In life, we all achieve something. Many pass the course, others manage to graduate, Some learn to drive, and others get a driver's license. In one way or another, we reach certain positions as young, adult, or elderly. We can see the case of Mark Zuckerberg, creator of the famous social network called "Facebook," who founded this application at the age of 19. On the other hand, we have Harland D. Sanders, founder of one of the most famous fast-food restaurants worldwide: Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). This man (after several failed attempts) founded this restaurant at the age of 40.

Regardless of age, we are happy to have those achievements, but what about those who manage to reach more important positions, such as governing a country or a nation, even when they are young? That was the case with King Josiah, whose biography and facts are found in the Bible."Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he ruled 31 years in Jerusalem" (2 Chr. 34:1 PDT).

Development:

From the life of this child-king, we can draw several lessons for the advancement of our integral life:

1- There is no age to do God's will.

Humanly speaking, Josiah was too young to rule a nation. He was eight years old, and that's not a prudent age to carry a charge as heavy as that. However, even though he was too young to govern, he decided to do something that we need to put into practice when doing any activity in our lives: doing God's will. The Bible states, "Josiah did what pleased the LORD and followed the path of his ancestor David, not deviating to the right or left" (2 Chr. 34:2 PDT).

What is doing God's will? It is loving what we do for Him. God's Word is clear when Jesus specifies that if we want to love God, we must keep His commandments (cf. Jn. 14:15). Therefore, to do God's will is to keep His commandments because we love Him.

Charles Spurgeon inviting us to do God's will, once said, "The Bible is not the light of the world, it is the light of the church, But the world doesn't read the Bible, it reads Christians. You are the light of the world."

2- We must make a difference in the name of Jesus.

"After reigning for eight years, while still a young man, he began to follow the God of his ancestor David. In the twelfth year of his reign, he began to purify Judah and Jerusalem by removing the sanctuaries on the hills, the posts of Asherah, the idols of stone, and the images of molten metal" (2 Chr. 34:3).

In Josiah's day, boys were considered to become men at the age of twelve. At sixteen, Josiah understood the responsibility of his office. Even at this young age, he showed more wisdom than many of the older kings before him because he decided to seek God and His wisdom.

At that time, Israel was sunk in idolatry. Their form of worship had been directed at the gods, thus distorting the worship of God. Josiah set out to put an end to all that.

This young king did more than the other kings tried to do, and all of that was a product of putting himself in God's hands.

Conclusion.

From this devotional, we have learned two great lessons. For God, age is not an excuse to serve Him. His will can be done by anyone who wishes to please Him.

As young people, we see many interesting things outside our focus, but that should not be a reason why we lose focus on following Jesus Christ. Ellen G. White says that "if our will becomes the will of God, a useful life awaits us."

To achieve any proposed goal, we have to do two things: find out if God please sit and put ourselves in His powerful hands.

Let us continue steadfast toward the goal so that one day we can say like Paul: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. For the rest, the crown of righteousness is kept for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me in that day; and not only me but all who love his coming"(2 Tim. 4:7-8 KJV1960).

God bless you!

- Richard Paredes is the general director of the Andad en Él ministry.