Choose Whom You Will Serve

Joshua told the Israelites to make a decision for themselves whether they would serve the Lord who had been faithful to them or serve false gods which were man-made idols. Regardless of their decision, Joshua made his commitment for his family to serve the one true living God. It's his resolution. By making a bold stand with no compromise, Joshua made an incredible impact on his people (the people said to Joshua, "We too will serve the Lord, because He is our God" in verse 18 and "We will serve the Lord our God and obey Him" in verse 24). Joshua was a great leader!

As for me and my house (family), we will serve the Lord (as far as I can influence them). We as a family serve the Lord but when the children are grown up and are out of the house, they'll have to make their own choices whether they will continue to serve the Lord. That's why it's so important to model a life of faith, love, & service day in and day out in front of our children and to pray for them without ceasing. Children and others can tell about our commitment, values, and priorities by how we live.

God gives us the freedom of making choices because He loves us and He wants to have a genuine loving relationship with us. Forced love is no love. God desires our sincere service that comes from our willingly devoted hearts. Even now, people can still choose God or choose idols (such as wealth, popularity, career, man-made religions,...anything but God). We all have an opportunity to affect the world (for good or for evil) through our decisions. We can live to gratify selves or to glorify God. We can choose to put ourselves first or put others first. Life is filled with choices...from the moment we wake up to the moment we fall asleep...day after day. Choices always have consequences which no one can escape...good or bad. We are accountable for our choices. Some consequences are more serious than others. Choose wisely/rightly! "Choice is a bittersweet gift. Those in Heaven will always be grateful they had it and will have it always, with no fear of sin or condemnation; those in Hell will always regret that they didn't exercise it differently." (Randy Alcorn)