Seniors, you are embarking on a new chapter of your lives. For some of you, you are confident that you are ready to take life by the horns. Others probably consider themselves modestly prepared. And there may be even a few of you who are scared to death. The party aboard the ship was in full swing. Speeches were being made by the captain, the crew, and the guests who were enjoying the week-long voyage. Sitting at the head table was a 70-year-old man who, somewhat embarrassed, was doing his best to accept the praise that was being lavishly poured on him. You see, earlier that morning there was a young woman who had apparently fallen overboard Within seconds, this elderly gentleman was in the cold, dark waters at her side. The woman was rescued and the elderly man instantly became a hero. When time finally came for the brave passenger to speak, the stateroom fell into a hush as he rose from his chair. He went to the microphone and in what was probably the shortest hero speech ever offered, he spoke these stirring words. I just want to know one thing. Who pushed me? This afternoon, we do thank the parents, the teachers, and the church staff who have pushed you to this moment. But I would like to suggest to each of you today that there is no task for which God will not give you the courage and more importantly, the power, if you are determined to be all that God wants you to be. In 2 Kings chapter 22, if you have your Bibles this afternoon, we find the story of a familiar young man when thinking of the kings of Judah. This young man actually began to reign at the ripe old age of eight years old. Yes, you heard me correctly, eight years old. It's interesting that his reign was one that was blessed by God. His reign was one that was, I'm sure, unexpected. Had you talked with The people of the land at that given point in time, their expectations were not necessarily that high on the chart for this man. But God greatly used him. The Bible tells us in 2 Kings chapter 22 and in verse 19, Because thine heart was tender, And thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes and wept before me, I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. Let's bow our heads in a word of prayer. Our Father in heaven, as we briefly examine the life of Josiah, I pray that you would challenge these young people to imitate His conduct. I pray, Lord, that You would impress upon each one of them through the power of the Holy Spirit the importance of truly continuing in the things that they have learned. I pray, Father, now as we look into Your Word, that You would speak to all of us, both graduates and family and friends alike, that every single one of us here today would make certain that we are leading lives that will count for eternity. For we ask it in Jesus' name. Amen. Josiah's life was one that was characterized by consecration. Now, when you think about the way in which God chose to use Josiah, it's very interesting, as has been pointed out, that not only did he arrive at the throne at the ripe old age of eight years, But he was not one that they had great expectations for because of who his father was. His father Ammon, the Bible says, did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. Not one that you would have said, yes, I'm certain he's going to have a tremendous, godly, spiritual son. One that will lead our country in the right direction. But you see, God used him because as he was there at that young age and began to assume the responsibilities that came with leading God's people, God allowed for him to be aware of this book, of the book of the law. You see, his life was transformed after being king for 18 years because he had given commandment for the house of the Lord to be repaired. And in the course of repairing the temple, the high priest found the book of the law and brought it to the king and read it to him. And that's where we see that Josiah's immediate response was one of consecration. The Bible says that he immediately rent his clothes in verse 11 of the same chapter. Then he went and asked for the priest to inquire of the Lord as to what he was supposed to do in light of the idolatrous condition of the people. And to that God saw his sensitivity and told him that his consecration would be rewarded. His heart was made tender after hearing the words of the book of the law. He did humble himself You think again, this was not just the average Joe. This wasn't just the guy on the street. This was the king. And yet as the king became familiar with the Word of God, he realized how far short he fell of God's standard. And therefore wanted to do everything he could to acknowledge from his heart Yes, it meant something to him to be what God wanted him to be. Josiah's life was characterized by consecration. The story is told of a woman who went to her preacher and said to him, could you tell me in one word what your idea of consecration is? So the preacher went and took out a blank sheet of paper. And he replied to her, this blank sheet of paper is to sign your name at the bottom and to let God fill it in as he deems fit. We think of seeking to be what God wants you to be. And young people, the exciting thing is you can exceed what Josiah did in his life, but you've got to be consecrated. It's often been said that God doesn't use dirty vessels. You see, that's what's so wonderful about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As we go to Him, we can confess our sins to Him and receive the cleansing so that through the power of God you can accomplish what could never be imagined apart from it. The wonderful thing about Josiah and his life, not only being characterized by consecration, but it was equally characterized by conviction. The Bible continues in 2 Kings chapter 23. The Bible says that the king then sent and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem. And the king went up into the house of the Lord and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him. And the priests and the prophets and all the people, both small and great, and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the Lord. And the king stood by a pillar and made a covenant before the Lord to walk after the Lord and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statues with all their heart and all their soul to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant. And I'm telling you tonight, young people, that it will take conviction for you to stand by the principles that you have been taught. It will take conviction for you to determine, I am going to live and die by the Word of God. You see, you will find that in college your principles will be tried and tested. They may be tested by those around you who don't know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, trying to ask you why you're wasting your time studying and reading the Bible. It may be challenged by others who claim to be Christians, but really who are more a part of the world than they are a part of the family of God. But if you have conviction and you're determined that this is going to be your guidebook, your rulebook, your standard for life, you will find that nothing is lacking in this book. But you are the one who has to make that determination. You are the one as an adult who will have to say, the reason that I believe this, the reason that I'm willing to live or die by this is not because of what my parents have said, it's not because of what my pastor says, it's because God says so. And with that type of conviction, God will use you tremendously. The exciting part is, as we look in our world today and we see all kinds of signs that would easily discourage us and cause us to think everything's going downhill, the exciting part is that our God, who was the God of Josiah, is the same God today. And the God that worked through Josiah to cause great revival to come through the land is just as powerful today to do the same thing through you, if you'll have that conviction. There's absolutely no difference whatsoever. We think of finding in the workforce, your life will be placed under a spiritual microscope. But let me remind you, don't give the world any fodder. Don't lead a life that is mediocre. Don't demonstrate what apathy is, but rather demonstrate to them what conviction is all about. Seeking to lead a life that brings honor and glory to God, whether you're friends and family around or whether none of them are. You see, Josiah was not in a popularity contest. but he was desirous of purposefully living for God. His life was characterized by consecration. He got rid of the sin. He wanted to get rid of the idolatry, and time does not permit us But the Scriptures are very clear of all of the tremendous actions that He took to clean out the land, to get rid of all that idolatry, to get rid of the wickedness of the sodomites that were there, to get rid of all of the altars to the false gods that were there. The Bible says that He cast them down. He broke them down. He burned the ashes. He broke them in pieces. You see, so it wasn't a casual Christianity. No, He was determined by conviction to live for Almighty God. And that's what the Lord desires of each one of you as young adults, of having the courage to do what God says so, simply because God says so. The exciting part is that if you will have the consecration, if you will have the conviction, then the Bible says as well, your life will be characterized by recognition. 2 Kings chapter 23 and in verse 25 tells us of Josiah. Like unto him was there no king before him that turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might according to all the law of Moses. Neither after him arose there any like him. You see, God takes note. of those who are determined to be consecrated. God knows of those who have the conviction to live by this book. And God will reward you with a trophy that will never gather dust, with a medallion that will never waste away, but rather God will bless you with eternal rewards. that will last forever and ever. Now you are no longer thought of as simply teenagers, high schoolers, high school kids, young adults. You won't have mom and dad there every time to say, I'm not so sure that's the best thing for you to do. I'm not so sure that's the best way for you to dress. I'm not so sure that's the best way for you to talk. I'm not so sure that's the best music for you to be listening to. But keep in mind, God is always with you. And if you will listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life, He will show you very clearly, this is the way. Walk ye in it. I'm excited about Josiah. I thank God for what was accomplished through him. But just remember, God wants to use you and He will use you if you seek to be like Josiah. Maintain a life of consecration, determined to live by your convictions as based upon the holy word of God. And then you too will be recognized when you stand before the Lord and you hear Him say, Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. May God bless you and use you as you follow His will for your lives.