Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did. (2 Kings 23:25)
NOTHING COMPARES TO A MEMORIAL service held to celebrate a life lived well for Jesus Christ. As people gather to share their memories, the legacy left by the dearly departed shines hope into a seemingly hopeless situation.
Josiah dedicated his life to serving God and leading his nation with integrity. He had many opportunities to make excuses. He could have blamed the country’s problems on his father and grandfather. As a young man, he could have used the absence of the book of the law to avoid the responsibility of seeking God. He could have given up when he learned that God’s anger against Judah would not be quenched. Instead of absolving himself from responsibility, Josiah sought the Lord’s will, obeyed the book of the law, and encouraged righteousness in a country he knew would face disaster after his death. His faithfulness etched an indelible legacy of righteousness into the pages of the Bible.
The way Josiah lived offers inspiration to each of us. Maybe the sin you see around you grieves your soul and makes it easy to envision the future judgment God has promised. There is still hope. God has given you His Word as a direction manual to living for Him. Each day of your life will be part of a beautiful legacy if you choose to follow His guidance.
Ask God for the strength and wisdom to leave a legacy that honors Him.
Leah E. Good is a daughter of God, lover of stories, and passionate orphan care advocate. She lives with her family in beautiful New England.
© 2018 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
