Joshua 24:14-15 "Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. (15) 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."
There is much to be said about Joshua, but tomorrow we will move on to another.
I cannot leave Joshua without including today's verses. Certainly God knew what
the people would do in generations to come; and, even what some of these very
people would do after settling into the Promised Land. Just as Moses gave
parting thoughts to the people, now Joshua is giving his inspired words to them
concerning their spiritual lives. Quite honestly, I believe we live in a time
when we must also make the same choices as Joshua is instructing the people of
that day. We cannot deny that these choices must be made because of the influx
of the influence of a certain religion into our land. The people of America
must make a decision: "... if it seems evil unto you to serve the LORD,
choose you this day whom ye will serve." I must say this in regards to
this statement. To me, it seems that "... the god of this world hath
blinded the minds of those which believe not, lest the light of the glorious
gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." A
choice must be made: God or Baal.
I read just recently how Satan camouflaged the "tree of the knowledge of
good and evil" by making it look pretty and desirable. He hid the bad in
order to ensnare Eve and Adam. Joshua understood to this degree the wiles of
Satan. He knows how to make sin and evil look pretty in order to trap people.
We need the blessings of wisdom from the Holy Spirit in order to see past the
glitter of temptation. We are not wise enough on our own to be able to discern
between "good and evil." Heavenly Father, please help us in this day
to look beyond the empty and vain promises of Satan in order to walk faithfully
with you. Joshua let his choice be made known immediately. "... as for me
and my house, we will serve the LORD." There could be no doubt, Joshua and
his house were going to faithfully serve the Lord. How about us, today? Who
will we serve?
1 Rise up, O men of God!
Have done with lesser things;
give heart and soul and mind and strength
to serve the King of kings.
2 Rise up, O men of God!
His kingdom tarries long;
bring in the day of brotherhood
and end the night of wrong.
3 Rise up, O men of God!
The church for you doth wait.
Her strength unequal to her task;
rise up, and make her great!
4 Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where His feet have trod;
as brothers of the Son of Man,
rise up, O men of God.