Following God in Your 20's and 30's

What makes a life truly worth living? In a world filled with endless distractions and competing priorities, this question becomes increasingly important, especially for young adults navigating their twenties and thirties. The story of King Josiah in 2 Chronicles 34-35 provides a powerful example of what it means to live a life that truly matters.

Who Was King Josiah?

Josiah stands out as one of the good kings in Israel's history. He became king at just eight years old during one of the darkest periods in Judah's history and reigned for 31 years until he was 39. What makes Josiah remarkable isn't his age or circumstances, but God's evaluation of his life.

The Scripture tells us: "And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in the ways of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left" - 2 Chronicles 34:2 (ESV).

This divine assessment comes before we learn anything else about Josiah's accomplishments. It's the kind of evaluation we should all hope to receive at the end of our lives.

What Does It Mean to Seek the Lord?

At age 16, while still a teenager, Josiah began to seek the Lord. This wasn't merely about religious duty or family tradition. Though Josiah was born into the royal line of David and was circumcised according to Jewish law, it wasn't until he actively sought God through faith that he became truly circumcised in heart.

This seeking led to transformation. By age 20, Josiah began living out his faith in practical ways, specifically by purifying the land from idol worship. He understood that faith without action is dead, and he acted on his convictions with remarkable tenacity.

How Do We Battle Against Modern Idolatry?

Josiah's war against idols wasn't just about removing statues. The idols of his day - Baal and Asherah - represented the same temptations we face today. People worshiped these false gods seeking prosperity, fertility, and success. Their worship often involved sacrificing children and engaging in sexual immorality.

Today's idols may look different, but they serve the same purpose: they become vehicles for abandoning the living God while gratifying our flesh, satisfying our lustful eyes, and feeding our pride.

Modern idolatry might include:

• Hookup culture and sexual immorality
• Grind culture that sacrifices everything for money
• Social media vanity and influence-seeking
• Vague spirituality without moral boundaries
• Finding self-worth in accomplishments rather than in God

Why Does the Word of God Matter?

During temple repairs when Josiah was 26, workers discovered the Book of the Law gathering dust in a storeroom. When it was read to Josiah, he tore his clothes in grief, recognizing how far the people had strayed from God's standards.

This discovery led to national revival. Josiah gathered the people and made a covenant to follow God's word with all their heart and soul. For the first time since the days of Samuel, the entire nation observed Passover according to God's instructions.

The Word of God has the same power today. In a generation plagued by anxiety and identity confusion, devotion to Scripture provides grounding and security in a chaotic world.

What Can Young Adults Learn from Josiah?

Seek the Lord in Your Youth

Young adulthood presents the same alternative paths available to Josiah. The culture offers endless opportunities for sexual immorality, materialism, vanity, and vague spirituality without commitment. But choosing to seek Christ and walk in His ways is always the wiser path.

As Jesus said: "I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture" - John 10:9 (ESV). True satisfaction and fulfillment are found only in Christ.

Take Sin Seriously

While we're not called to purify the land as Josiah did, we are enlisted in Christ's army to wage war against our own sin and spiritual darkness. Young adulthood is the ideal time to address sinful habits before they multiply and affect future spouses and children.

Paul's words to the Romans apply directly: "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires" - Romans 13:14 (ESV).

This means dealing with existing addictions like pornography or harmful social media habits, and avoiding new ones like drunkenness, gambling, or materialism.

Prioritize the Church

Just as Josiah tended to the temple, we should prioritize the church as the living temple of God. This involves:

• Being actively present in church life
• Giving generously to support ministry
• Serving according to your spiritual gifts
• Cultivating community through consistent participation

The author of Hebrews reminds us: "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" - Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV).

Cherish God's Word

As Bibles gather dust, we suffer and languish. Regular reading and studying of Scripture is an investment that pays eternal dividends. Christ himself quoted Deuteronomy when tempted: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" - Matthew 4:4 (ESV).

How Does Josiah Point to Christ?

Josiah serves as a type or picture pointing toward Christ's work. What Josiah accomplished temporarily in the physical realm, Christ accomplishes eternally in the spiritual realm. Christ purifies God's people by destroying our enemies at the cross, secures eternal blessing through His perfect obedience, and leads us to greater righteousness through His Word and blood.

If you haven't repented and believed in Jesus Christ, there is no other way to be saved. Any attempt to live righteously apart from faith in Christ amounts to filthy rags before God.

Life Application

The life worth living begins with seeking God through faith and continues through purposeful obedience. You will never drift into righteousness, but you will drift away from God without intentional effort.

This week, commit to following Joshua's challenge: "And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" - Joshua 24:15 (ESV).

Consider these questions as you apply Josiah's example to your life:

• What modern idols am I tempted to worship instead of seeking God wholeheartedly?
• What sinful habits do I need to address now before they affect my future relationships and family?
• How can I be more actively present and serving in my local church community?
• What steps will I take this week to prioritize reading and studying God's Word?



Josiah gave his life - his teenage years, twenties, and thirties - to the Lord. He sought God by faith, took sin seriously, tended to God's house, cherished God's Word, and led others to do the same. The result was a life that made such an impact that when he died, the entire nation mourned because they recognized they had lost someone who truly lived a life worth living.