“For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year of his reign he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the grooves and the carved images, and the molten images”. 2 Chronicles 34: 3(KJV)
King Josiah was eight years when he began to reign. In the eighth year of his reign i.e. at the age of sixteen years he began a deliberately seeking after the God of his father David. At the age of twenty King Josiah began a massive religious revival in Judah by the power of the LORD God. Manasseh who enjoys the luxury and comfort of kingship set all aside to seek after God diligently. Manasseh obeyed the scriptural injunction of Matthew 6:33(KJV) “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you”. Manasseh actually sought God with his heart before any other thing. He prepared his heart to do the bidding of the Almighty. Let us note that Manasseh was a young king who enjoys the glamour and glory of a king and yet he opted for seeking after God.
Addressing the youth, the bible says in Ecclesiastes 12: 1(KJV) “Remember now your creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say “I have no pleasure in them””. This is a faithful saying and advice worthy of all acceptation. On the day when we shall all give account how many youth will be able to stand the test of measurement of Manasseh? Many destinies have been lost and destroyed at youthful period of life. Precious time and sizeable lifetime have been wasted at youth. We need to be guided by the example of Manasseh who prepared his heart to serve God in his youth. A lot of regrets exist due to wrong usage of time and resources at youth. Like Manasseh let us turn our youthful energy to God to use for His kingdom. Let us begin a conscious search for God. God honours a youth seeking after Him.
SEEK AFTER GOD IN THE DAYS OF YOUR YOUTH IT HAS GREAT REWARD
Prayer: Father give every youth reading this few words the heart to seek after you.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo