Decisions and choices are part of everyday life, and whether we like it or not we can’t escape the fact that choices have to be made. For if we don’t choose, life and circumstances will choose for us.
There is a great guy called Joshua who is known for leading the Israelites into the Promised Land after they had spent 40 years wandering in the desert. He was a man of uncompromising values, convictions and faith. He was not afraid to stand up and stake his life on what he believed, and he consistently and faithfully lived by his convictions. Public opinion did not sway him, threats, violence, and the likelihood of being the odd one out did not move him. (See Numbers 14:6-10). He actively sought to know God, experience His presence and to know His voice. Because of these things Joshua encountered and experienced God, was visited by angels, saw the miraculous occur and was chosen to be Moses’ successor.
The world I believe needs more of us to be like Joshua, and one of the most famous things he said leaves us with some direction on how to follow such a great mans’ example.
Joshua said, “Now therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and in truth; remove the gods which your fathers served across the river…and serve the Lord. If it is unacceptable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served… or the gods of the Amorites in the land you live; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:14-15)
It’s obvious that Joshua knew what he believed and that His commitment to God governed His choices and values. His urgent counsel to the people He led was to quit compromising, to make up their minds and to choose who they would serve!
The bible is full of the record of the victory and power of right and wise choices, and the tragedy of wrong ones. Alternatives are always before us in every area of our lives, and it’s not enough to know what is right, but also what we are investing into and if we are prepared to stand up and stand by our commitments and convictions.
No one else can choose how we will live, whom we will follow and who has our hearts. We must choose for ourselves.
Joshua knew that when he chose God, He was choosing to follow Him with everything he had. For God loves and cares for us whole-heartedly, and He doesn’t just want a part of us, He wants all our lives; for all that we are to be dedicated and committed to Him. He doesn’t love us, save us or bless us in half measures, and He looks for the same commitment from us.
The bible puts it this way, “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking around life – and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don’t become so well adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognise what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you” (Romans 12:1-2 Message Bible).
Jesus loves us regardless of our failings, but He does desire our whole hearts. (Matthew 22:37) Everyday we make the choice in everything we think, say, act and in whom we are. There is always a decision. What and who are you choosing today?
Jesus said, “Love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)
“As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)
Prayer: Lord help me to be like Joshua who was a man who chased after you, who sought your presence, stood by your Word and lived by his convictions. Please empower me by your Holy Spirit to live boldly and uncompromisingly. In Jesus name Amen.
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