Joshua 24: 19-24
Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord. He is a Holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you.”
But the people said, “No! We will serve the Lord.”
Then Joshua said, “You are witnesses against yourselves hat you have chosen to serve the Lord.”
“Yes, we are witnesses,” they replied.
“Now then,” said Joshua, throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.”
And the people said to Joshua, ” We will serve the Lord our God and obey him.”
A Thought
Joshua reminded the people of the many blessings that the Lord had done for them and warned them that they must choose for themselves if they are going to serve the Holy God or the gods that their forefathers had served beyond the River. Joshua warns that God is a jealous God who will turn and bring disaster to put an end to them if they choose rebellion and sin after he has been good to them. After the people had agreed to serve the Lord God of Israel, Joshua reaffirmed the decrees and laws with them. Our world of today needs to be reminded that our God is a jealous God and he has been good to us. We must let go of all the little gods in our lives, (examples are selfishness, greed, wrong priorities, power, love of money, etc.). After we accept Christ Jesus, we must choose to center our lives with his Word and grow to become more like God and to bring glory and honor to him in our words and with our deeds.
Our Prayer
Father we choose to serve in obedience to you and your word. Reveal to our hearts your will in our lives as we purpose to become more like you. Fill us with the power of your Spirit to witness your love and forgiveness to others that they might know you. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
