by: Dr. Allen Domelle
2 Kings 18:2
“Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.”
Starting a young family is an exciting adventure. Watching a young couple get married and take those first few steps on the journey towards their dreams is delightful to see. When a young couple starts their family, there are many joys to enjoy that they never imagined, hindrances to face that they never faced before, obstacles to overcome that they never imagined, but there are also numerous opportunities for victory if they make the right decisions.
Hezekiah started his journey at the young age of twenty-five. He was one of five kings in Israel’s history whom the LORD used in a powerful way. I believe that one reason the LORD used Hezekiah mightily was because he started his life right as a young adult. When I look at the first few steps he took as a young adult, I see there were four actions he took that resulted in God’s blessings.
First, he embraced the successes of his fathers. Verse 3 says, “And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did.” I know that many young couples want to make their own mark on life, but don’t be so foolish to ignore what brought your parents success. It is foolish to want to blaze a new trail when you already have a trail on which to walk. You will certainly make your own mark on life, but you must never want to be so independent that you forsake the principles and lifestyles that brought God’s blessings to your parents. You would be wise to copy whatever your parents did that was right.
Second, he removed the hindrances that kept him from serving the LORD. In verse 4, Hezekiah removed the high places, idols and anything that kept him from serving the LORD. You will have many opportunities as a young adult to get involved with, but never do something that would take you away from serving the LORD. Something may not be wrong in and of itself, but it is wrong if it pulls you away from doing what you always have done for the LORD.
Third, he trusted the LORD in his daily walk. Verse 5 says, “He trusted in the LORD God of Israel…” If you want your young marriage to last a lifetime, you must establish a daily walk in your personal life and in your family life. Your family is bound for heartache if you don’t have a personal time to walk with God daily. Moreover, it is wise to have a daily time when the family reads the Scriptures together and prays. It may be uncomfortable at first, but you will find that it can become a time when the family is pulled together.
Fourth, he clave to the LORD in service. Verse 6 says, “For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.” Always remember that the family who serves the LORD together will have a better chance of staying together. Don’t become the type of family who goes their separate ways in serving the LORD. Try your best to keep your family in the same ministries. It creates memories that will last a lifetime.
Because Hezekiah did these things, “…he prospered whithersoever he went forth…” You will find these four things will help your family to prosper with the LORD’s blessings. These four things will also help every young family to establish their mark in life.