Josiah joins the company of two other kings—Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah—of whom it is said, they “did what was right in the sight of the Lord.” This idea of doing “what was right” is similar to what we find 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.” The word “blessed” can be translated to “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 satisfaction and full contentment. The psalmist reminds us, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Ps. 119:11).

This type of faith and obedience to the Word of God was found in Timothy, as we read 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). 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. What about us today? What is our response to the Word of God? It is good to remember, “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 Chr. 16:9).