S) "14 Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Joshua 24:14-15 (NASB)
O) This is a fairly famous passage in Christian culture, I think. I've often heard Christians edit verse 15 quite a bit, with something like, "Choose for yourselves whom you will serve; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." While that does get the gist of the message across, I think there are a few elements it misses. For one thing, Joshua began this statement with an important qualifier, saying, "Now, therefore," which really required the hearer (and reader) to reflect on all of the words he had just repeated (vv.2-13). That's important, because it means that the choice to serve God is not arbitrary or whimsical. This was a careful, considered choice. No one can truly choose to serve the LORD capriciously. To try and serve Him with little to no thought given to the reasons behind that decision, is to set up for failure. Another thing I've noticed that often goes unnoticed, is that Joshua presented the alternative quite clearly, and this is not always given the consideration it should be given. Joshua did not give a third option, here. He said they will either serve the LORD, or they will serve the gods of their fathers. Whether people can acknowledge it or not, we are all created to worship. As a created race, we are made to worship. If we do not worship the LORD, we will set up for ourselves some other god to worship. There is no middle, neutral ground of no worship. The last thing that stood out to me, as I read this passage, that may be overlooked at times, is the inclusion of the word, "today" in this choice. Every time a person would read these words (which Joshua recorded immediately, per v.26), they are confronted with this choice. Today is always present tense. This choice to serve the LORD is always a present tense choice.
A) The very first lesson is to read Scripture in context. But, relative to these oft-missing elements. Working backwards, I need to remember that my service, devotion, and faithfulness to the Lord my GOD is a daily choice. Everyday there will be opposition to my position as His servant, and everyday I must make the choice to be His alone. Confronted with that choice, I need to remember that there is no middle ground. I cannot abstain from a vote. If I am not choosing the LORD, then I am choosing a false-god in His rightful place, on the throne of my heart. The alternative is not always obvious, or glaringly opposed to the LORD, but it's still there. When it comes right down to it, I have a throne in my heart that refuses to be empty. Last, but not at all least, I must reflect on history when I'm making this daily choice. There is a Bible full of evidence, with thousands of reasons to serve Him. But, even apart from all of the biblical promise and history, I have my own testimony to search. The LORD my God has done great and wondrous things for me, personally, directly. If I made a chart of all of the good that has come from serving all of my false-gods, combined, and compared it to every good thing the LORD has done for me, it would be laughable. It would paint a clear picture of just how foolish it is to choose anything, or anyone, over the LORD my God. Reflection like that, deep and thoughtful, is an important element to my faith that I think I do not do well. I want to spend more time reflecting, so that the "Now, therefore," is the most appropriate phrase I can use, before I ever get to, "me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
P) Father, You preserved my life in my mother's womb. Even before birth, there were those who opposed my life, but You sustained me. You protected me in my youth, preserving my health in the face of many dangers. You kept my heart soft throughout my childhood. Despite my transgressions, You were faithful to hear my prayers, and You prepared my wife for me even when I was unfaithful and completely undeserving. When I walked away from You, and my heart began to harden, You rescued me again through the gracious gift of my wife, whom You gave me. As I turned to You again, You were very quick and faithful to meet me. You brought me up again in Your word, gave me a mission, and began to discipline me in lovingkindness and compassion, love and mercy. I choose to follow You, Lord. I choose to serve You, forsaking the other idols I have wrongly served in my past. Be glorified as the only Lord in my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
Deeeeeee Doooooooooo
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