Good Choices
(14) “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. (15) 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 24:14-15
Joshua was the great leader who was chosen by God to take Moses’ place after his death, before entering the promised land. Joshua was one of two who wanted to take the land the first time it was spied out, but the people would not go. He and Caleb were the only two of the men above the age of twenty who did not die in the wilderness because of unbelief over the matter.
God led them into the land and there was victory. Everywhere they set their foot God empowered them and gave them victory over the inhabitants of the land. God reminded them, (11) “Then you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho. The citizens of Jericho fought against you, as did also the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites and Jebusites, but I gave them into your hands. (12) I sent the hornet ahead of you, which drove them out before you – also the two Amorite kings. You did not do it with your own sword and bow. (13) So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.”
We often get a little victory in our lives and become arrogant about it. It is easy for us and it was easy for them as well. Looking closely, however, it was very obvious that God had given the victory, as He had done and will do in their future as well as ours.
God only wanted one thing out of the whole deal with these victories: “…Fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness.” That’s all He asked for, and as a matter of fact, that is all he STILL asks for.
Our God wants us to make good choices. Joshua understood that and readily replied, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” What better choice could we ever make in life? What could we choose that would be a better path?
We are faced daily with our Amorites and Perizzites. Our Jerichos often stand in our way. Whether it is a Hittite or an ungodly boss, God can give us victory. It could be a financial disaster or a lingering sickness, God still conquers our enemies. We can whine and moan or we can make a better choice. Joshua did; and God was pleased.
The call still rings from the mouth of God, “Choose you this day whom you will serve.” He is still in control of the affairs of men. He is still Lord of All. And, He still wants His people to make good choices.
So, what should my choice be? What about yours?