Joshua 24:15

The greatest Christian declaration spoken by one of Israel’s bravest and most prominent leaders

“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15 NIV)

Joshua had to be one of the boldest men of faith to ever live. He was the succession to Moses as the Israelites’ leader into the Promised Land.

At this point in time, they had succeeded in claiming the land that their parents were not able to inherit due to disobedience and lack of faith throughout their journey in the wilderness, and now Joshua has called them together in his farewell to remind them all of what was and what is now. He had gathered all of the elders, judges, and leaders of Israel and made them present themselves before God at Shechem (Joshua 24:1).

When reminding the descendants of all that God has brought their people out of and all that He displayed for them, he insisted that their loyalty and faithfulness should always be with Him and that they should give up their false idols and put their full fear in the Lord. In doing that, he professed something very bold and inspirational at the same time. He shows the people that in spite all God had done for them, and even with the warning of possible destruction of a nation — that choosing to follow God is completely a choice.

He declared that they had the right the follow the same idols that their parents worshipped, or even the ones of the new land they had possessed — but as for him and his house, they would serve the Lord.

Profound.

We are living in a time now, where calling yourself a Christian has become very subtle with no real power behind it. The same individuals who claim to know God and claim to have witnessed His grace and mercy over their lives are the same ones who can easily be influenced by the world or even show that their stance is very conditional — strictly based on their feelings or their lives’ current circumstances.

We need a people that will stand firm in their faith. Who would decree and declare in any stage of life that they belong to the Lord, and that it’s through Him and Him alone, that all things are made possible (Matthew 19:26). Who won’t dilute themselves in certain spaces to belong. Who won’t be afraid the Gospel in it’s full Truth. Those who simply aren’t afraid to say the name Jesus.

The world is changing everyday, in many ways it will require us to stand tight in who we are and mostly importantly… Who we belong to.

Affirmation

Despite whatever goes on in my life, my trust will remain in the Lord

His love is unconditional, so mine will be also

My joy doesn’t come from the world, so neither should my ministry

For God I live, and for God I die

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for all You have done for me throughout my life. Thank you for the covering, the grace and mercy You’ve shown me, even when I did not deserve it. Today and forever more, Lord, I’ll stand with You. I’ll choose You even if others turn away from You. I’ll turn to You when things get difficult instead of folding. Keep my mind and spirit in tack when I fall into temptation and seasons of weakness and help me to lean on You for all things. It’s in Your Son’s Jesus Holy Name I pray. Amen.