258 Joshua: As for Me and My House

As we come to the end of our journey through the book of Joshua, our hero is now elderly—over 100 years old. He realizes his time of leading his people will soon be over. So, he calls the people together and gives a remarkable farewell speech. 

He begins by reminding them of the covenant God had made with their ancestors. He invited each of them to enter into that covenant, to choose to be loyal to God above all else. Abraham said, “I’m in.” Isaac and Jacob each in turn said, “I’m in.” Hundreds of years later, Moses said, “I’m in,” and even Joshua himself had made that choice. “I’m in. All in.” 

Now, as he prepares to pass from this earthly life, he asks his people, “What about you?”

He reminds them of all the ways God had led and protected them, miraculously giving them the land upon which they now stood. He knows that the temptation to assimilate the local gods into their worship would be fierce. In fact, it was already happening. 

So, he makes this challenge: “Choose for yourselves whom you will serve…But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” 

The Israelites, moved by Joshua’s words, answered, “We’re in! We will serve the Lord, too!” But Joshua knows them all too well. 

“You can’t do it.” Joshua was pushing his people to really think through what they were committing to. See, talk is cheap. It’s easy to say you’ll follow God. But what will you do when serving God costs you? When someone important to you chooses another way?

The Israelites raised their voices to quell Joshua’s doubt. “No! We will serve the Lord and obey Him.” 

This same challenge is laid before you today. “Choose for yourself whom you will serve.” If you choose a life of loyalty to God, there are some timeless truths it would be wise to understand.

1.     You need to know that your allegiance will be opposed.

There are Satanically-inspired strategies all around us trying to trip us up—hoping to woo our hearts and compromise our values. We must be alert. 

2.     You need to see that your decision might be a lonely one.

When I was a young believer, I learned a song that has stuck with me over the years.  It says: “I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back.” The last stanza says, “Though none go with me, still I will follow. No turning back.”

To make a decision to serve God wholeheartedly…and for your family to be “on mission” for the Kingdom…might well be lonely.  

3.     You need to understand that your dedication needs to be shown and not merely said.

Are you a noun Christian or a verb Christian? A noun Christian is just a title you wear. A verb Christian is a life you live.

4.     You need to trust that your resolution will be worth it. 

To follow the Lord wholeheartedly will pay off with dividends that are literally out of this world.

“Choose yourselves this day whom you will serve.  But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

What about you?

Text: Joshua 24

Originally recorded on December 11, 2016, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN