This Day in History: 0000-10-10

October 10 – Joshua 24:14-15

So fear the Lord and serve Him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt.  Serve the Lord alone. But if you refuse 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!”

We always get to choose.  Adam and Eve got to choose, the people of Israel got to choose, and  each of us gets to choose each day whether we will serve the Lord, or serve other gods.

It may be more subtle these days than it was when these verses were penned, but just like the Israelites, we forsake our God to bow down and sacrifice to all kinds of idols far too often! The Lord God Almighty does not share loyalty and devotion.  Either we serve Him, or we do not. There is no middle ground.  He demands our wholehearted fidelity.  And surely each of us understands that!

Let’s take some time today to evaluate what it is we want.  Do we want to prostrate ourselves before the idols of self, money, power, control, information, stuff?  Do we have any interest in sacrificing the things the God of Heaven offers us upon these altars?

Let’s really think! What are we placing before Him today?  Is it worth it?  Is it really what we want?

God has set the choice before each of us, but He is a gentleman and He will not force Himself on us.  Do you want to serve yourself, or do you want to serve the Lord alone?  Choose today whom you will serve.

But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord!