And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.

2 Kings 22:2

When I think of the upheaval in our country, I am reminded of how God was faithful to Israel and Judah even when their leaders turned the country in the wrong direction.

After the reign of the righteous Hezekiah, his son Manasseh and grandson Amon led the people back into idolatry, and then came the young king Josiah and a return to upright living.

In the passage above, we see the contrast in Josiah’s life. After fifty-seven years of following pagan gods, Josiah “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD.”

What led Josiah to follow the LORD with all his heart? How did he make such a radical change in how the king of Judah would lead? How did he keep his purpose clear and avoid error and turning to “the right or to the left?”

Let’s consider Josiah’s life over the next few days.