READ: 2 CHRONICLES 34; 1 TIMOTHY 4:1

Six teenagers recently decided to run for governor of Kansas. With no age limit on gubernatorial candidates in that state, these teens debated and did interviews. They had opinions about abortion, health insurance, and education. But they weren’t the first young people involved in government leadership. In 2 Chronicles 34, eight-year-old Josiah was crowned king of Judah.

At age 16, “Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David” (verse 3). And he soon rid the country of the previous evil regime. He tore down the places where people worshiped idols, and he repaired the temple of God. Because of this young king’s leadership, the people of Judah followed the Lord as long as Josiah lived. Even at 16, he was a good leader because he sought after God, who was the source of his wisdom and strength. And yet, even Josiah could not cleanse the people of their sins. His reign only looked forward to the coming kingdom of Jesus.

You probably won’t be king any time soon (and you probably won’t be governor of Kansas either because the state Legislature quickly set a minimum age requirement of 25 for gubernatorial candidates). But you can be a leader.

You might be thinking, “Not at this point in my life. Other people are leading me. My parents, my teachers, my boss, and even my youth pastor.” True. But think about it—even adults are under the authority of others. Yet you can be a leader among your friends, in your school, in your family, and even in your church. How? By following 16-year-old Josiah’s example of seeking God and earnestly doing what He says is right and good. And even when you fail, you can rely on the love and forgiveness of Jesus, pointing others to the only one who could ever follow God’s law perfectly, the only one who could cleanse us of sin. • Linda Weddle

• If you had the opportunity to be a government leader, what is the first thing you would do?

• Jesus is God—the King of kings—yet He humbled Himself, becoming human and living among us (Philippians 2:1-18). He is the only person who never sinned, so He was able to take all our sin upon Himself on the cross. Then He rose from the dead, making the way for all who trust in Him to live with Him forever! What does Jesus’s ministry show us about leadership in God’s kingdom?

• Consider taking a moment to pray and ask God to help you notice where you have opportunities to lead others, and also ask Him for wisdom in these situations.

• If you want to dig deeper, read 1 Kings 13:2; 2 Kings 21–23; 2 Chronicles 35.

He did what was right in the LORD’s sight and walked in the ways of his ancestor David; he did not turn aside to the right or the left. 2 Chronicles 34:2 (CSB)