Who Do You Serve
Joshua 24:14-15 Joshua gives a summary of all that the Lord has done for the Jewish people since the time of Abraham, then tells the Israelites that they need to make a conscious choice on who they will serve. It is the same for us today.
11/12/20252 min read
14 “Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the river and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! 15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of 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 24:14-15 (NKJV)
In the last chapter of Joshau, he brings the Israelites together to renew their covenant with God and to emphasize the importance of serving Him. It is the final public address by Joshua where he recounts Jewish history and calls on them to serve the Lord. He knows that God's people will be spiritually weakened by serving other gods, so he calls on them to make a conscious decision. He tells them to either serve the other gods or serve the One True God. He then makes the bold statement: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." This is not something that he just say's outload, but something that is written in his heart and he chooses to think about each day.
Joshua 24:15 is considered one of the top verses in the Old Testament because it is a powerful declaration, it's a concluding challenge, and it inspires us. Christians all over the world have that verse hanging on their walls. But it is easier to say than do. In Mathew 13:22, The Parable of the Sower, Jesus says, "The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful." Christians have so many distractions that keep them from focusing on God. Common distractions that can hinder our relationship with God include busyness, worldly pleasures, technology, and unhealthy relationships. Just like Joshua, we can overcome those distractions by making a conscious decision each morning when we wake up, to choose God. It starts by beginning the day with Him in prayer and bible reading.
Who are you serving when you wake up in the morning? Be bold and declare that "I and my house will serve the Lord". It is not just a decoration for your wall, but a declaration written on your heart. Put away the other gods that get between you and your Lord. Make God your first priority!