A MATTER OF CHOICE
Read Joshua 24:1-28
And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers serve that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 (NKJV)
Have you ever had a moment when everything seems to be going right? You look in the mirror and say, “You are amazing, and look at all you have accomplished.” Joshua had one of those moments after conquering all of Canaan. He recalled how the Israelites went across the Jordan River and into the promised land, Canaan, and defeated countless people under his leadership. Now they were looking to inhabit the land they now owned.
Joshua remembered over the years what had happened when the Israelites had forgotten to look to God for guidance. Now that life was good, he noticed old habits and tendencies rise. So he reminded them who had chosen them as God’s nation and who had done all the work. It was God (c.f. Joshua 24). Today, do we not do the same?
When we do well on a school project or test, get a promotion at work, or an investment pays dividends, we will call, tell and show everyone what we have accomplished. How often do we bring “everything by prayer and supplication” before the Lord? When walking “according to His purpose,” “all things work together for good” because He” directs our paths” and His thoughts towards us are “to give you a future and a hope” (Philippians 4:6; Romans 8:28; Proverbs 3:6; Jeremiah 29:11).
Likewise, in our day, many profess Christ, but their teaching and lifestyle are not following His words. We quickly forget, just as the Israelites did, because we are not daily surrendering our lives to Christ. Moses wrote to remind the children of Israel, “Therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19). Likewise, we should remember each day there is a choice to make. Forgetting to choose is the same as choosing to serve the other gods. “Now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Prayer Focus: Free will, Salvation, Remembering God.
Prayer: Dear God, as we are free to make choices each day, help us to make our decisions for eternity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thought for Today: Jesus Is Always The Best Choice!
Contributor: Ms. Nichole Shaw (Florida, United States)
Screen Editor: Mr. Neil Cummings
Editor: Mr. Eliezer D. Rodriguez