January 25 - Joshua 24: 1-15

January 25 - Joshua 24: 1-15

24 Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel. And they presented themselves before God. ² And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods. ³ Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan, and made his offspring many. I gave him Isaac. ⁴ And to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. And I gave Esau the hill country of Seir to possess, but Jacob and his children went down to Egypt. ⁵ And I sent Moses and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt with what I did in the midst of it, and afterward I brought you out.

⁶ “‘Then I brought your fathers out of Egypt, and you came to the sea. And the Egyptians pursued your fathers with chariots and horsemen to the Red Sea. ⁷ And when they cried to the Lord, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians and made the sea come upon them and cover them; and your eyes saw what I did in Egypt. And you lived in the wilderness a long time. ⁸ Then I brought you to the land of the Amorites, who lived on the other side of the Jordan. They fought with you, and I gave them into your hand, and you took possession of their land, and I destroyed them before you. ⁹ Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and fought against Israel. And he sent and invited Balaam the son of Beor to curse you, ¹⁰ but I would not listen to Balaam. Indeed, he blessed you. So I delivered you out of his hand. ¹¹ And you went over the Jordan and came to Jericho, and the leaders of Jericho fought against you, and also the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And I gave them into your hand. ¹² And I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out before you, the two kings of the Amorites; it was not by your sword or by your bow. ¹³ I gave you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and you dwell in them. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant.’

¹⁴ “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. ¹⁵ And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond 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 calls out the children of Israel by going over all the things God did to protect them as they left Egypt.  He didn’t pull any punches or leave our anyone that they were protected from.  He even tells them if they didn’t believe God was the one to follow, choose now who to follow.  This is where the famous verse comes from saying “Me and my house will serve the Lord”.  I love that verse.  It declares that we love God and will follow Him, as a family.  Joshua warns them about their tendency to stray to serve other gods when it suits them.  That tendency shows they don’t really believe in God’s power and that He is THE God.  If they really believed, they wouldn’t stray away from Him. 

So often I hear parents who say they will let their children decide about religion when they are grown.  If we don’t teach our children the right way, they will choose to make themselves their gods and I truly believe that is why our world is in the shape it is in today. 

Who do you believe created the world?

Who do you want to follow?

Will you teach your children the right path, or let the fall in traps once there are adults?

Oh Heavenly Father, help me to not fall into traps set by the enemy in this world.  I know my fight is not with other people or flesh of any kind.  My battle is with the enemy and is fought in the heavenly places.  Protect me Father from those who want to do harm and set traps.  Help me keep my eyes on You so I don’t falter.  Help me share with those around me the light that You are so they can follow You.  Help my path be following Your footsteps and not going my own way.  You are so patient, but I must still suffer consequences for my choices.  I want to walk in Your light so I don’t stumble.  Help my children and grandchildren see the light and follow You as well.  Thank You Father that my granddaughter Emma accepted You this past Sunday and has the assurance of spending eternity with You.  Thank You for touching her heart and pursuing her.  Help her keep her eyes on You as I know the enemy will try to trip her up. Protect her and keep her close.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen!