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Every believer is called to serve the Lord sincerely and faithfully. But if we’re honest, this is very difficult to do. We’re constantly tempted to serve the gods of this world, including beauty, money, power, and success. Although we can look back on our lives and see God’s powerful and gracious hand at work, we often forsake Him to serve the things that bring us immediate gratification. We also tend to think that we’re able to serve the Lord by our own strength and then become discouraged when we fail.
The book of Joshua reminds us of the importance of choosing to serve the Lord. The book ends with Joshua’s gathering all Israel together at Shechem to renew the covenant that Israel had first made at Mount Sinai (see Ex. 24:3–8; 34:10–28; Josh. 8:30–35). This covenant renewal served several purposes.
First, Joshua wanted the Israelites to remember God’s sovereign grace in choosing them to be His people (Josh. 24:1–4). Second, Joshua wanted Israel to remember the Lord’s power and presence (vv. 5–13). Third, Joshua wanted God’s people to “choose this day whom you will serve” (v. 15). Would they serve the gods of their fathers outside Canaan, the gods of Canaan still in their midst, or the Lord their God? Joshua boldly declared, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (v. 15). Joshua, who was near death, understood the importance of passing the faith to the next generation, so he urged them to make a wise choice.
At this time in redemptive history, Israel was eager to serve the Lord (Josh. 24:16–18). Joshua, however, sobered them: “You are not able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God” (v. 19). Even so, the people of Israel renewed their covenant to serve the Lord on that day. They committed to forsake idolatry and serve the Lord in obedience to His ways (vv. 21, 24).
Like the Israelites, we’re prone to serve idols, including appearance and achievements, instead of the one true God. And like the Israelites, we’re often quick to commit to serve and obey the Lord while failing to remember that apart from God’s grace we can’t.
Today, a greater Joshua asks us to choose whom we will serve. Will we seek first the kingdom of God and obey His commands, or will we seek to satisfy our own desires? Will we be filled with the Spirit, or will we submit to the lusts of our flesh? Will we incline our hearts toward Christ, to whom we have been united by faith, or let our hearts wander to the things of this world?
Thankfully, the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness to serve Christ. Therefore, let us daily renew our commitment to serve the Lord. Let our families often recommit to serve the Lord Jesus Christ alone. May our church families frequently reaffirm that we will wholeheartedly serve the Lord and obey His commands.