“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 24:15
May 1, 2024
Israel’s second generation upon possession of the promised land was called upon by Joshua to make a pledge of allegiance to God. They were about to face enormous pressure to conform to the idolatry of their neighbors. Loyalty belongs to God alone. Idolatry is a spiritual gateway drug that leads to the demonic. Allegiance to God’s way of thinking and living will show itself in obedience to His commands. Our choice to serve God must bear fruit. This entails moral purity, sacrificial love, and being truthful. When there is a malfunction in worship, letting society’s gods take God’s place, there will be a malfunction in other relationships (Romans 1:24-32) “which includes homosexuality, lesbianism, disobedience to parents and all kinds of dysfunctional relationships with others” (see G.K. Beale, We Become What We Worship – A Biblical Theology of Idolatry). Our choice to serve God is made up of many choices. They are all before us when we get up in the morning. Will God have been pleased with us at the end of the day?
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“O Lord, my redeemer, help me to avoid a mind not approved by you. May my choices be ones that reflect my allegiance to you.”
“God commands nothing but what is beneficial. To obey God, is not so much our duty as our privilege.” Thomas Watson (c. 1620-1686).