Josiah did what the Lord said was right. He lived as his ancestor David had lived, and he did not stop doing what was right. (2 Kings 22:2)

What lessons can we learn from Josiah, who became king when he was eight years old and reigned thirty-one years? When we look at lessons to learn through the Bible, we might overlook what Josiah offers us. After all, we won’t be a young king, sandwiched between kings intent on living destructive lives. Yet we have something in common with Josiah. Just as he had the opportunity to live out the legacy of his faithful ancestors, personally seeking God’s will, so do we. God invites us to set aside the circumstances and learn lessons from Josiah, including (but not limited to)…

• Accessing Our Resources
• Taking a Stand Alongside Others
• Becoming the Exception
• Pursuing the Process
• Reaching One

Today, let’s begin with Accessing Our Resources. If you continue to read 2 Kings 22, you’ll encounter several names and groups of people: Shaphan (the royal secretary), Hilkiah (the high priest), gatekeepers, the people, supervisors, workers, carpenters, bricklayers, builders, Ahikam, Acbor, Asaiah, and Huldah (the prophetess). Josiah distributed money for the rebuilding and repair process. And he involved a lot of people. He didn’t do everything that needed to be done; he worked with others to be sure what needed to get done was done well. If he had tried to do everything, not everything would have been completed.

We often think it’s easier to do things on our own because we don’t have to take the time to explain, teach, trouble-shoot, and resolve conflict. But God surrounds us with people and resources he intends us to invest in and walk alongside. He provides us with what we need, not to fulfill what we want, complete our personal agendas and goals, but to fulfill what he intends. He knows how it all works together but unless we trust him and respond in obedience, we will not live out loud the life he’s prompting us to live.

We don’t always understand the people God has placed in our lives. We see shortcomings. We notice issues. We don’t know how God can use the weaknesses of others to enhance God’s will and purpose. We rely on the strengths of self-sufficiency—ourselves’ and others’—instead of fostering and trusting God-sufficiency.

Josiah seemed to know what and who was within his reach—the reach God placed in his life. And he involved many people. He didn’t misuse them. He didn’t use them for his benefit or for his personal agenda. He sought God’s will and invited others in the journey.

Consider the people around you. Who is in your life that you struggle to walk alongside and involve? Do you tend to focus on weaknesses, excusing why you shouldn’t involve someone? Who do you rely on too heavily? Whose opinion, guidance, and support mean more to you than God’s?

Leading (and following) others isn’t about determining how you believe everyone in your life fits together. It’s about how God says everyone in your life fits together. That means you’re going to be prompted to get out of your comfort zone at times. You’re going to ask people for help when you’re not sure you want help…especially from the person you’re prompted to ask. It means you’re going to help some people you’re not sure will appreciate it. The outcome won’t be what you assume it should be. You won’t always be content with how things appear to be working out, but when you’re obedient to God’s leading, you’ll be content to be in his will. Understanding will come as secondary.

Look around you today. Access your resources. Actually, access God’s resources. You have nothing of lasting value without his provision and guidance. And you can trust him!