As For Me and My House

I love the fact that Joshua was such a man of God that he was not afraid to stand up to the Israelites and show them what serving the Lord meant. In their day and time, it was not an uncommon practice to worship idols and different gods.

Today's times are no different than in Joshua's day and time. The idols and gods are different, but the nature itself is no different. Today we have idols such as jobs, cars, material possessions, and gods such as money, keeping up with the Joneses, greed, power, lust, and pride. God is asking us to lay that all aside and serve Him.

Joshua states it so well. Chapter 24 verses 14-28 are labeled The Covenant Renewal. Joshua tells the Israelites to put away all their idols and gods, to fear the Lord and worship Him in sincereity and truth. He goes on to tell them that if that doesn't work for them, then to choose this day who they would serve.....the Lord or their idols and gods. Joshua made it very clear to the Israelites that he and his family would be serving the Lord.

The people told Joshua that they wanted to serve God. He explained to them that if they planned on keeping their idols, they would not be able to worship and serve God, because He is a jealous God and will share His worship with NO ONE! The people persisted even more and again told Joshua...NO! We want to serve and worship the Lord. Joshua told them that they were witnesses to their own confessions and renewals before God. He told them that they had to rid themselves of their idols and gods.

Today, God is calling us to do the same thing. We MUST put away any idols that have taken God's place in our lives. He is to be first among everything we have going on. If He is not first, I urge to rearrange your priorities, and renew your covenant with the One who loves you with an everlasting love.

For this moment, let's be like Joshua....."Today, choose for yourselves the one you will worship: the gods your fathers worshiped beyond the Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord! Joshua 24:15b