There is a guy named Joshua in the bible. He’s actually one of my favourite people in the bible that God has given an account of. He was a tough, resilient, pure hearted, committed, God seeker, who wasn’t afraid to be His own man, who would go against the general consensus if it meant following what God had said. He believed God and His word and was prepared to put His life on the line if necessary to act upon his convictions.
Joshua wasn’t afraid to call it for the way it was, and to say, “you can do what you want, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. We will follow after Him, we will obey what He says; no matter what that looks like, or how far that takes us, we are for God 100%”
That sort of lifestyle and commitment challenged people then and it still does today. It’s always inspiring when you meet people who have stood up against popular opinion and stated, “I’m going to live God’s way. I’m not going to follow after the crowd if that crowd isn’t going the way God is leading me. I’m going to live for Jesus. Whatever he says I will do. What I see in His word I’m going to believe; wherever He directs me to go, I will go; when He says speak or act or do, that’s where you will find me. I’m His 100%”.
When you look at the world, with all it’s “truth is relative, and everyone else is doing it, drinking it, taking it, thinking it, speaking it, living it, so maybe I should too” attitudes, that’s it’s more important than ever we in this generation begin to seek to have the same heart as Joshua. For us to also have the gumption and yes “guts” to stand up in the crowd and declare, “you may be happy to think and act the way everyone else around you is, but as for me I am going to live wholeheartedly for Jesus. I choose to follow what He says in the bible, even if that makes no sense to anyone else. If I see it I will do it, believe it, and speak it. Even if that means I have to keep believing when I cannot it see it happening, I will keep standing for Him and His word until my life lines up and reflects only Him.”
Imagine if you, and then your household, and then your workplace, neighbourhood, and community got a hold of living like Joshua did? How would that change things, and how would that transform this nation. Because when people start to live with conviction and with their whole hearts, others stand up and take notice, and are often inspired to start doing the same. Joshua’s example lead the way for a whole community to follow God, and even after he died the people kept on living lives of Godly conviction.
Today, take a look at your life. Are you compromising or settling for what everyone else does or thinks, or are you seeking after Jesus and His way of living 100%? It’s a choice we make everyday; so let your choice today be, “as for me and my house we will serve the Lord”.
“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)
“Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.” (Mark 8:34 NLT)
“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19)
Prayer: Lord thank you for your great grace for me, and that even though I mess up and fail to follow you with conviction and my whole heart you still love me with an everlasting love. Would you please help me, and give me strength Holy Spirit to live for Jesus today, even if that means standing up and going against the crowd. In Jesus Name Amen
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