TUESDAY May 10, 2022

Who Do You Choose to Serve?

“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 24:15

Moses had handed Joshua the baton of leadership. This young man led God’s people into the Promised Land and began the warfare to defeat their enemies. On one occasion, two men who looked like they had traveled from a far country came with a request; they wanted Joshua to make a covenant with them (Joshua 9:3-6).

They were actually Gibeonites living close by, in disguise. Afraid for their lives, they came up with this deceptive plan. Joshua failed to inquire of the Lord and made a covenant with them. If only he would have prayed to God, their deception would have been revealed. Now it was too late. Joshua confronted the men after finding out the truth three days later. Now they would have to serve among God’s people as slaves––woodcutters and water carries––for the house of God (Joshua 9:23).

Joshua moved forward and victoriously won much of the land. As he grew old and neared the time of his death, he gathered his wife, children and God’s people and gave them a charge:

“...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 24:15).

Israel swore they would serve God (Joshua 24:23-24). However, words can be cheap because, even though they said they would serve God, they never did it. There are two lessons to be learned. First, in the battles we face, always inquire of the Lord. He will reveal the enemies’ tactics and keep us from making a tactical error. Always seek the mind and heart of God. Second, serve God and do not miss out on His blessings.

One of the greatest rewards that we ever receive for serving God is the permission to do still more for him.
~C.H. Spurgeon~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!