As For Me and My House, We Choose The Lord

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. Joshua 24:14-15 NLT

Prior to his death, Joshua called all the tribes of Israel to meet together at Shechem. Then Joshua called the older leaders, heads of the families, judges, and the officers of Israel. These men all stood before God. Joshua spoke to all the people and told them what the Lord said to them.

The words spoken to these men were not Joshua the leader words, but it was God who spoke through Joshua. God knew Joshua was about to die and there would not be another direct leader to guide them. Therefore, the people needed to know that they can rely on and trust God even after the death of Joshua. So, God told the children of Israel how and where it all began, His relationship with their forefathers and the covenant He made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He relayed to them how He delivered their forefathers from slavery out of Egypt. God told them of the mighty acts that He did to bring them to the promised land. This was to let them know that everything they had and enjoyed was because of Him. He kept the promises He made to their forefathers and He would keep that promise to them, if they serve Him only.

They were a people that He chose unto Himself. Therefore, they were to fear and serve Him wholeheartedly. They were to get rid of all idols and serve the Him only. It was not to be God and another idol; no, it was to be God and God alone! You must not have any other god but me, you must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth, or in the sea – Exodus 20:3-4 NLT. The commandments were clear. Even today, if we are not careful, we can find ourselves serving God and also have idols in our lives. Now, this idol may not be a physical image but it could be our job, our children or spouse or the things that we possess, i.e. cars, house etc.

Just like in the time of Joshua, God wants us to make a choice. Will we choose to serve God wholeheartedly or will our heart be divided? We must make a choice, for it cannot be both. Elijah also told the children of Israel, they must choose. Elijah came to the people and said, ‘You must decide what you are going to do. How long will you keep jumping from one side to the other? If the Lord is the true God, follow Him. But if Baal is the true God, then follow him – 1 Kings 18:21 ERV.

No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money – Matthew 6:24 NLT. Joshua told the children of Israel, ‘As for me and my house - my family we will serve the Lord’. Will that also be your choice? Will you choose to serve Him wholeheartedly? Today and everyday, I pray that you make the right choice!

Everything Is Purposeful

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding but in all of your ways trust Him to direct your path.” – Proverb 3:5-6

Pharoah had issued a decree that all Israelite males be put to death as soon as they were born. Moses’ mother wanted to do what any loving mother would do and save her son. She wrapped him up, put him in a basket made of bulrushes, and strategically placed him in the river so he’d end up in the right hands. That day, Pharoah’s daughter was bathing in those same waters and sent her maid to retrieve the basket she saw floating in the reeds. She felt sorry for the child, correctly assuming he was one of the Hebrew babies. Moses’ sister, Miriam, who had been watching from a distance, stepped forward and volunteered to fetch Moses’ mother to nurse this “unknown” baby. Pharoah’s daughter agreed.

Now Moses’ mother got to experience a full-circle moment. I’m sure letting him go was the most painful thing she ever had to do, but in order to save him, she had to release him. There was a definite purpose for Moses’ life, and because of that purpose, God protected him, put the right people in place, and, without a doubt, directed all of their paths. What are the odds that this child would be let go of, found, and brought back to the bosom of his very own mother? What are the odds that, having been drawn out of the water, Moses would deliver so many other children through a wall of water years later? It is certain that when God has a purpose for your life, it does not matter what the odds are. He places all the right pieces and people together to bring that purpose to fruition.

If you are a parent, teacher, nurse, mentor, social worker, or simply someone who loves people in general, God has strategically put you in place to help bring forth purpose in the lives of others. The kind words you give, the loving advice you offer, and even that strong word of correction are meaningful and purposeful in the development of someone’s life. So never underestimate your influence in the lives of others. Never think that you’re not needed or that what you have to say doesn’t matter. It is all part of God’s plan to help us all reach our purpose in life.

Giving Up Is NOT An Option

“And she conceived and gave birth to a son. “God has taken away my shame,” she said. She named him Joseph, and said, “May the LORD add to me another son.” – Genesis 30:23-24

Have you ever just wanted to kick yourself for giving up too soon on a goal? For example, you told yourself you didn't have time to go back to school and complete that degree, even though you were only a few credits away from graduating. Life happens. You had financial struggles, was caring for a sick loved one, or had kids, and you had to put your dreams on the back burner. So you gave up and told yourself that it was just too late for you.

In Genesis 35, Rachel died before reaching her promise. In Genesis 30, Rachel grieved over the fact that she couldn't have a child. Her sister, Leah, was fruitful, but Rachel was unable to conceive, which caused her a lot of heartache. But God finally blessed Rachel with a son, whom she named Joseph. After experiencing this miracle, she immediately spoke a prophetic word into her own life and said that she would have another son. She had faith that God could do it again.

However, Rachel made a mistake. She didn't have enough faith to put God completely first and stop worshipping idols, and it brought her down. In Genesis 31, she stole her father's idols from his house when she left with Jacob. When her father came looking for the idols, Jacob called for the death of the person who had stolen them, not knowing Rachel was the culprit. She did get pregnant again and began to go into labor…hard labor. Because of the intense labor pain brought on by her disobedience, she died in childbirth. She was so close to her destination, but she died. The baby was successfully delivered. The miracle still came, but Rachel couldn't enjoy the fruit of our labor.

Giving up is not an option, no matter how difficult the journey! You have amazing goals and dreams. Please do not let those dreams die. Please know that somebody is waiting on what is to come through you. They are waiting on a mentorship, a book, or a business that has to be birthed through you. So, pick those dreams back up, dust them off, and get back on track. You are much closer than you think.