“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15
Did you ever stop to think about all the choices you make each day? What time will I get out of bed? What will I wear today? What will I choose to eat for breakfast? And the list goes on. Although these choices are important, there are choices we make that not only affect our day but also our future.
Moses had died, and Joshua was now the leader of the Israelites. They were about to enter the Promised Land and fulfill their hopes and dreams. Because of unbelief and rebellion, they had wandered in the wilderness for forty years. Now Joshua reminds them that they must settle in their minds whom they were going to serve. He could not decide for all of them. But he firmly declared that he and his household were determined to serve the Lord.
The people agreed with Joshua. Verse 24 says: “And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.” They had good intentions. But promises are easily made. As we read the rest of their story, we see that they turned away from God and worshipped the gods of the nations that they conquered. So, God had to punish them as He had promised.
When the Israelites made their promise to Joshua, they were sincere and had every intention of keeping their promise. As God prospered and blessed them, they forgot the lessons they had learned in the wilderness. They began to mix with other nations and turn away from true worship of the Lord.
Our commitment to God is not just a one-time action. The most important choice we make each day is to set apart a slot and a spot where we meet with the Lord. As we read His Word and communicate with Him in prayer, we receive the strength we need for the day. Start each day with the right choice by quoting Psalm 118:24. “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Thought For Today: As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
