"Looking Back on Life"
II Chronicles 34

Josiah died when he was 39.

 

I.    Notice the  statement  of Josiah's life. (34:2)
            He followed the Lord as his Father David. David was the picture of a Godly king. He was a
                repentant king. David did sin, but he repented and turned to God.

            What sentence could be used to describe your life from the day of salvation?
           

                                                      
II.    Notice the  stages  of Josiah's life.

            A.    At the age of eight he begins to  reign  . (34:1)
                        Josiah was a king at the age of eight.
                        Someone invested in his life. There were people around him advising him and teaching
                            him.

            B.    At age sixteen he began to  seek the Lord  . (34:3a)
                        Seek=frequent, to follow. It implies worship.

            C.    At age twenty he begins to  restore  . (34:3b-7)
                        Between the age of 16 and 20 he had a great amount of growth in the Lord.
                        Josiah was seeking God at 16 and was ready to rule at 20.
                        He began to tear down idols and clean up the "followers" lives.
 
                        What you set your heart on now, sets your future.
                        These are critical days in our youth an they need to be taught about the Lord and
                            encouraged to seek him now.

            D.    At age twenty-six he begins to  read  . (34:18-19)
                        He sought after God and did not even have a Bible or the inspired Word. He grew 10
                            years without the Word of God. The scripture was discovered while the temple was
                            being restored.

                        If you seek the Lord, you will find Him without the Word.
                        The Holy Spirit will testify with your spirit, even without the Word of God.
                                                    
                   

III.    Notice the  end  of Josiah's life. (35:20-25)

              A.    There was an  apparent  challenge  . (35:20)
                            There was not a threat to him but to the work of the Lord in that place.                     

              B.    There was an  apparent  charge  . (35:21)
                            God did send the king of Egypt. That the king of Egypt was sent by God was
                                unbelievable.
                            Josiah never God's direction in this situation. If we do not do what God wants us to
                                do, we will fail even if we are going against evil.

              C.    There was an  apparent  disregard . (35:22-23)
                            He got out of the will of God and he got killed. He rationalized what he was doing.
                            Josiah was where he should not have been. We must seek God to know what to do.
                            Sometimes we convince ourselves that we are doing what is right and not what God
                                wants to do.

Looking back on our lives, look at the stages how God has worked in our life. How has God worked??