We have before us a straight, firm and to-the-point statement that was declared to the children of Israel by Joshua. They were in a transition period. He had done all he could for them. This great leader was speaking his final time to Israel. It was time for him to go to the real Promised Land.
Joshua 24:13 And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and olive yards which ye planted not do ye eat. 14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Joshua knew the delicate and dangerous circumstances before Israel. They had settled into the land that God promised to their forefathers. It was no time to sit down. He knew what they would be up against. The time called for a decision. It was not just a decision that was needed but some action.
Today we frequently say we’ve never seen a time like now. The shape the world is in financially and morally is bad. There is a falling away from the Lord and not a yearning for him. Trust is in everything but God and the Bible. Some act as if they would rather give it all than go back to the Lord.
Like Israel, it is time to choose. I can’t do anything about you or what you will do. But I can do something about what Bob Surber does. I can change myself and my little part of the world. I must make a decision and until I do I’m wasting my time.
Revival is imperative right now. God put before us the truth and leaves the choice to us. Time calls for a decision. The pressures of the world compel us to make a decision. It’s now more that saying “I’m a Christian” that matters. It’s now more than saying “I serve the Lord.” When it comes down to it our actions are what matter. Is there a decision? Yes! But our actions count now more than ever. It has always been our choice.
Joshua said “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” What he had done before this and what he would do after showed Joshua’s commitment to his words. If we have to wear a sign around our neck that says “I’m a Christian” then we miss the mark. If we have to advertise it, we’re hurting. Jesus shows himself in us. Verse 15 gave them and us the choice to make. It can’t be ignored anymore. It can’t be put off anymore.
Years ago the church world was going along fine, but just like Israel we’ve forgotten that we have what we didn’t labor for. We enjoyed the blessings of the past, and we’ve let up; now everyone pays for it. My serving the Lord is not what it used to be. Think about what actions you have taken. The drawing line is not where it used to be.
Joshua told them, and the Lord says to us, you’ve got to make a choice. There were three choices presented to them.
- The gods on the other side of the flood
- The gods of the inhabitants of the land they were in
- The Lord
Joshua had seen Israel go back to the worship of the people before the flood. They allowed the evil of those days to creep upon them. We’d better believe we can backslide. Would you ever go back to the life style before you were saved? Don’t say “I’d never get out of church.” It can happen and it’s a choice.
The tribes occupying the land of promise were still around close-by. The people were persuasive. They tempted Israel and lured them with their influence. More than once they choose that route. They tried to worship God and Baal at the same time. We have the power right now to be a real Christian. The gods of this present world confront us. They try to influence us. The little gods push us down; we’re pressured to serve them. Joshua told them they could cave in. We too can change our standards and morals. We can’t mix serving God with serving sin and carnality. It’s a choice.
Joshua’s grammar was not correct, but he made his choice first. He said as for ME I will serve the Lord. It didn’t do any good to say “and my house” until he said it for himself. The people around us, our friends, even our country may not choose God. It doesn’t matter. The decision is up to me. It’s up to you.
Revival is ours. We make the choice. It will be what we let it be. I can’t serve the Lord for you, and you cannot serve him for me. It’s up to me. What decision will you make?
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 