SCRIPTURE:
“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua 24:15
OBSERVATION:
Joshua has just finished giving Israel a history lesson. He wraps up with the reminder that the Lord gave them a land they didn’t work, cities they didn’t build and vineyards and olive groves they didn’t plant (Joshua 24:13). He then calls for them to serve the Lord, yet in verse 15 he gives them the power to choose.
APPLICATION:
There is only ONE thing that the Lord gives us control over and that’s in the choices we make. Good or bad, he will allow us to make decisions. When I was much younger, I had begun to grow disgruntled with my employer because of the way I was being treated. Instead of taking some time to think and pray, I walked into my supervisor’s office at the time and resigned. It was an emotional and foolish decision that affected my young family at the time.
Being the head of his home, Joshua made the decision to speak for his whole household when it came to serving the Lord. Being the head of my home, I made the emotional decision to serve myself by leaving my job.
I’ve heard it said this way – Never make a permanent decision on a passing emotion.
Whether it’s serving the Lord or serving ourselves (our pride), The Lord will give us the power to choose. The hope is that we would choose wisely and choose well, and one of the best ways to do that is by taking time to think and pray, instead of reacting emotionally.
PRAYER:
Father Almighty. Forgive me Lord when I have let my emotions get the better of me. Thank You Lord for Your wisdom and Your guidance. May I take the time to seek You out in prayer, especially when I need to make difficult decisions, this I pray in Jesus’ name Amen.
