PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Joshua 23-24
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” (Joshua 24:15)
Joshua wants a firm decision, not a fair weather decision.
He calls them not to just accept the land from God, but to accept the life for God.
Do we as Christians want to accept life from God, but not life for God?
“To be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)
Both Joshua and Jesus are asking for a huge commitment, a life commitment.
This is not like ‘living together’, staying together if it works with an option to leave.
Yes or no, am I in or am I out… make a decision!
Like Israel in Canaan, we will be tempted to compromise, to love God AND other things.
But as in marriage, unfaithfulness will end in disappointment and disaster.
I made a decision years ago to be a Jesus-follower.
I admit that this challenge has been challenged and compromised on many occasions.
Its not that serving the Lord is undesirable to me, but other desires sneak in too.
We need to renew our decision to follow Jesus everyday, or it will weaken.
Jesus offers me life to the full, life from God and life for God; will I choose it today?
PRAYER
Lord, today again I choose to follow You! The world behind me, the cross before me. Though none go with me, still I will follow. No turning back. May this be my choice every day!
Joshua was faithful and he knew where his strength came from. He clearly defined the choice for living. Jesus – the great and final Joshua – leads us to the promised land – to the new heavens and earth – I too must live out of that promise – committed to seek the Lord’s way in all that I do. I too choose to follow Jesus – help Lord to do so more faithfully each day – it is so easy to be distracted by other cares, pleasures, etc..
I am reminded once again, that all too often as the leader goes, so go the people. Joshua challenged the people to serve God and he led by example. That was his choice. That was respond – ability. On this new day I too need to choose – to wholeheartedly serve my Saviour. I need to start the day with Him asking for strengthening powers to stay on track. GodStrong. May it be said of me also that I served the Lord all the days of my life.
Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life’s tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treach’rous shoal;
Chart and compass come from Thee;
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.