Dear Daily Message Readers,
READ: Joshua 24
Joshua 24:15 (NLT) "'But if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.'"
Choices are an inevitable part of life that we all must face. We must choose what to wear, what we will do with our free time, what career path we will make our life's vocation, what and where to eat, who to marry, what church to attend, what house to buy, what car to buy, etc--the list goes on and on. Yet there are some choices that are no big deal, and we dont even think about them. Others we cant stop agonizing over.
In the very last chapter of the Old Testament book of Joshua, the nation of Israel faced a very hard choice. In Shechem, Joshua reminded the people of the great things that God had done for them. They had to make a choice: to worship the gods of the Amorites or to worship Jehovah, the only true God. Joshua challenged them by asking them to examine the facts and then decide. Joshuas primary concern is that they know who the real God is. He reminds the nation that it was not with the might of their weapons that the victory was won, but by the power of God. God had done it all. But the people nevertheless had to choose God for themselves--intelligently, decisively, and willingly.
The book of Joshua ends on a note of affirmation. The people responded to the pleas of Joshua before the Lord. They said, We will serve the LORD our God. We will obey him alone (24:24). The bottom-line choice of Israel had long-lasting results. Verse 31 reveals this truth, saying, Israel served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the leaders who outlived him--those who had personally experienced all that the LORD had done for Israel.
Like the Israelites under Joshuas command, you have a choice to make today: "Choose today whom you will serve"--God or man (Joshua 24:15). We are either servants of Satan or servants of Christ; we cant serve two masters. Which will it be for you?
Faith Lesson: Choose to serve Christ today. Before you end your devotion time, pray, "Lord, what would you have your servant do today?" After that, follow where God leads you and serve faithfully.
In Christ,
Darin Smith
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out the Daily Message Devotional's new and full-featured website at http://www.dailymessage.org
To subscribe to the Daily Message Devotional mailing list, please send a blank email to UICDevotions-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
READ: Joshua 24
Joshua 24:15 (NLT) "'But if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.'"
Choices are an inevitable part of life that we all must face. We must choose what to wear, what we will do with our free time, what career path we will make our life's vocation, what and where to eat, who to marry, what church to attend, what house to buy, what car to buy, etc--the list goes on and on. Yet there are some choices that are no big deal, and we dont even think about them. Others we cant stop agonizing over.
In the very last chapter of the Old Testament book of Joshua, the nation of Israel faced a very hard choice. In Shechem, Joshua reminded the people of the great things that God had done for them. They had to make a choice: to worship the gods of the Amorites or to worship Jehovah, the only true God. Joshua challenged them by asking them to examine the facts and then decide. Joshuas primary concern is that they know who the real God is. He reminds the nation that it was not with the might of their weapons that the victory was won, but by the power of God. God had done it all. But the people nevertheless had to choose God for themselves--intelligently, decisively, and willingly.
The book of Joshua ends on a note of affirmation. The people responded to the pleas of Joshua before the Lord. They said, We will serve the LORD our God. We will obey him alone (24:24). The bottom-line choice of Israel had long-lasting results. Verse 31 reveals this truth, saying, Israel served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the leaders who outlived him--those who had personally experienced all that the LORD had done for Israel.
Like the Israelites under Joshuas command, you have a choice to make today: "Choose today whom you will serve"--God or man (Joshua 24:15). We are either servants of Satan or servants of Christ; we cant serve two masters. Which will it be for you?
Faith Lesson: Choose to serve Christ today. Before you end your devotion time, pray, "Lord, what would you have your servant do today?" After that, follow where God leads you and serve faithfully.
In Christ,
Darin Smith
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out the Daily Message Devotional's new and full-featured website at http://www.dailymessage.org
To subscribe to the Daily Message Devotional mailing list, please send a blank email to UICDevotions-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
