04/09/2010

Good Morning!

Joshua 24:14-15 (English Standard Version)
Choose Whom You Will Serve
14 "Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

Joshua had led the people of Israel into the Promised Land. He had led them through the many battles that defeated and destroyed the inhabitants of the land so the people of Israel could claim it as their home. Now the time to settle down had come and Joshua called the people together to remind them of the covenant that God had given them – and to warn them of the serious consequences of failing to keep their word with God. I believe Joshua’s purpose was not to scare the people into submission but to show the people of Israel the expectation that God had of them.

Read through the verses above. Joshua is presenting the people of Israel a choice: fear (respect) the Lord and serve in sincerity and faithfulness; putting away the old religious (dead) practices and embracing the Lord OR choose to continue to serve those dead idols that remind you of your captivity. It was a choice Joshua gave them. Then he announced his choice.

You and I are given a choice too. We come to God with a lot of baggage. We have to choose to keep that baggage or to put it aside – let it go – leave it alone. And often the choice is not that easy. There’s a lot of stuff we would like to keep. But it is all dead stuff – stuff the world gives you that passes away. Why not lay the baggage down and let God give you His good stuff. Who knows – it might even be better than what you have now.

Let me encourage you to no forsake the assembling together of God’s called out ones this week. (That’s another way of saying “go to church”.) Have a great weekend.

Agape’

Mr. Jim
Fatdad5@comcast.net