Thought from today’s Bible reading from Joshua 22-24.
“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 24:15).
This is one of the more well-known verses in the Bible. Joshua, toward the end of his life, challenged the Israelites to choose to either serve God or not. His decision was already made – he and his house would serve the Lord. But he told them they would have to make their own choice.
“The people answered and said, ‘Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods… We also will serve the Lord, for His is our God’” (Joshua 24:16-18).
The response of the people was positive. They clearly declared their intention to serve the Lord. Upon hearing such a good response, we might expect Joshua to be satisfied, knowing that the Israelites had accepted his challenge and had determined to be faithful to the Lord. But Joshua’s response is a quite different than a quiet satisfaction.
“Then Joshua said to the people, ‘You will not be able to serve the Lord, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgression or your sins. If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you after He has done good to you’” (Joshua 24:19-20).
Though it is always good for people to declare their decision to follow the Lord, it is important that they understand the great responsibility that comes with being one of His people. Therefore, it is the responsibility for preachers and teachers of the gospel today to do as Joshua did – warn those we are teaching of the expectation the Lord has of us. Notice what Jesus said:
“Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:27).
Deciding to serve God is good. Beginning one’s journey in following the Lord is good. But unless one is willing to be faithful until the end, he cannot be saved (Matthew 24:13; Revelation 2:10).
Tomorrow’s reading: Judges 1-2
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
Daily Notes & Observations contains all 365 articles from this series and is available in paperback from Gospel Armory.
