The odds were stacked against him. Josiah’s great-grandfather, King Manasseh, had abandoned the spiritual reforms of his father. He built altars to false gods, used fortune-tellers, and sought counsel from mediums. Scripture says Manasseh “shed very much innocent blood.” (1 Kings 21:16)

Josiah’s dad, Amon, wasn’t any better. Amon continued in his dad’s evil ways. His own servants ended up killing him. The people rose up, killed them, and made Josiah king.

King at 8 years of age, that is. (2 Kings 22:1)

If you’re reading the story for the first time, you’ve already concluded that this boy doesn’t stand a ghost of a chance. He’s the son and grandson of murderous and idolatrous kings who is taking the throne as a kid in a kingdom that has long ago abandoned their God.

And yet, in the eighth year of his reign, this 16-year-old young man “began to seek the God of David.” (2 Chronicles 34:3) And soon, he and his people would be revived.

Can you identify with Josiah’s family tree? If so, you don’t have to be the product of your parents’ choices. Your family history doesn’t have to be your future. Seek the God of the Bible. And you’ll find out what it is to have a good, good Father.