Passage: Joshua 24:15
"Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.".
Allow me to take a moment to make absolutely clear that the bias that follows is strictly my humble, (but accurate) opinion... as it relates to my preference in the area of food.
Last week, my family and I were in Nashville, Tennessee (USA). I had occasion to go to the grocery store down there, and as I was walking down the cereal isle... I was met by the most horrific scene I believe I have ever seen!! Right there - in a complete section of their own... was God’s curse upon the breakfast industry!!! Yes, I was confronted by an entire section of...
I was truly mortified! I mean, there were boxes, upon boxes... shelves upon shelves of the stuff! They had “instant grits”, and “10 minute grits”... They had “flavored grits” (note: THAT is a lie from the pit of hell, I believe!!) LOL And they had “plain-old grits”. There were all my old favorite cereal companies... General Mills, Quaker, Ralston-Purina... And ALL of them were pushing their own brand of poison - “buy our grits!”
A wave of nausea passed over me, the likes of which I am pained even to remember... And then I saw it - a sign... innocently placed right about eye level for most women... The sign read: “Grits for every occasion! Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner!”
NOW WAIT JUST A MINUTE!!! Now, they’re messing with a guy’s whole day!! Someone HAD to draw the line somewhere! You're probably wondering where the spiritual application is in this whole thing. Follow me here... You see - I discovered - right there in that cereal isle... a truth, right from the Word itself! I pondered my own personal reaction to the sight (taste and texture) of grits... and instantly knew that my view was NOT shared by the HUGE majority of people in the American South! This got me to thinking more... about perceptions... and about realities.. and about choices. You see... while I really do enjoy poking fun at people who might “like” grits... I also know that *I* have a choice in the matter! (rest easy - I did not buy the grits!) LOL
And, in this instance... there is no “special” right or wrong - it is my decision. However... this got me to thinking about another time... in the Scripture... when a decision was made - and the challenge for others to make similar decisions went out to the people. Let’s look at who Joshua was... His was a remarkable life - filled with all manner of success and escitement. Joshua was called, “a man, in whom is the spirit” - Numbers 27:18 He was both a slave, during the Egyptian slavery days... and the leader of free Israel He led the people into the promised land - something that even Moses did not see. Joshua was willing to follow God’s will, even against outstanding opposition from his own people. And here we are... in Joshua, chapter 24... wars had been waged... victories won... and now Joshua, leader of his people - speaks as eloquently as any statesman ever:
Look at verse 14... "Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD."
The word, “fear” here - does not indicate a “terror”, but a healthy respect... I should qualify that... because it also *does* have roots in the word, “terror”... but that terror is one of respect. It is to identify the incredible awesome nature of God - and see where we are in perspective. And this admonishment is followed up by the word to serve Him with all faithfulness! The people are reminded of the past - with the conviction that follows serving to bring about wisdom in future decisions... and then we get to the famous section of this text: Joshua 24:15! "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
Herein comes the call to make a choice... Joshua places all the options on the table... and spells it all out for them... He speaks in terms that they understand - and then makes EXPLICITLY CLEAR his stance! “As for me, and my household, we will serve the Lord”. You see *we* are given a choice. Each one of us will make a decision today. Now, you may think to yourself... (or out loud) - “wait a minute - who are *you* to tell me what I will or won’t do??” You may think - “I will NOT make a decision today”... And I suggest that you already have. And, perhaps - just as I made a decision there in the cereal isle of the grocery store - your decision might not have lasting life-long ramifications... But then again... maybe it WILL!
You see... Joshua gave the people the options - and allowed them to make a decision based upon their “own” convictions... He did not place a “value” on the outcome... and yet, we know that there is indeed a “value” to that decision. We know that there is only one absolute truth - only one “right” chioce. He made clear his decision - and that of his family, (based upon his leadership) - [THAT could be another study altogether!!] And thereby set the example of the “right” choice.
Was it the fact that “Joshua” made the choice that made it the right one?? NO! It was the fact that it aligned him with the Lord. And therein lies the key to this study!! Jesus told us that HE is the way, the TRUTH, and the life... and no one comes to the Father, but by Him! Now, I am confident that there is a bunch of people reading this who have already made that decision... And I am equally confident that there is great liklihood that there are some reading it that have not yet made Him Lord. It has been said that the greatest distance a person will ever travel... is the 18” from his head to his heart. I believe this to be true. So - here it is, friends... What is YOUR choice today? Will you be a slave to such things as: depression, lust, stress (financial, relational, etc.), worry and sorrow?
OR... will you allow Him to truly be the Lord of your life - and let Him have the “steering wheel”? What’s the big deal, you may ask?? Well, I see God drawing up His church... everywhere I travel... I see people in every denomination coming together... We are, I believe, in the last days - and our decisions will dramatically impact the outcome of our futures... Both on an eternal basis, as well as on a temporal basis. Moses served God well... but he did not enter into the promised land... will YOU?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we lean not on our own understanding, but in all our ways, we acknowledge You. Please teach us to make those right decisions - and lead us to a closer walk with You! In Jesus' name we pray, Amen!
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Eric Reamer is an evangelist, and full time Christian Illusionist. If you enjoy this devotional, please e-mail Eric at: Eric@IllustratedIllusions.com.
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