"CHOOSE!"

Joshua 24:15-22                                   (ESV)
"15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, "CHOOSE" this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond 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."
16 Then the people answered, "Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods,
17 for it is the LORD our GOD who brought us and our fathers up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight and preserved us in all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed.
18 And the LORD drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for HE is our GOD."
19 But Joshua said to the people, "You are not able to serve the LORD, for HE is a holy GOD. HE is a jealous GOD; HE will not forgive your transgressions or your sins.
20 If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then HE will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good."
21 And the people said to Joshua, "No, but WE WILL SERVE THE LORD."
22 Then Joshua said to the people, "YOU ARE WITNESSES against yourselves that YOU HAVE CHOSEN THE LORD, TO SERVE HIM." And they said, "We are witnesses."



Every now and again we have to be reminded who we are, AND WHO GOD IS!  Remembering September 11, 2001 it seemed the entire world came to an abrupt halt by mid-day and didn't start back for a few days.  Seeing our elected political leaders gather on the steps of the United States Capital was a humbling, eye opening experience.  It seemed we realized, if only for a few days, that we could do nothing outside of GOD's grace!

The children of Israel had to be reminded as well.  In response to Joshua informing them that GOD would not forgive them if they forsook HIM to serve other gods they said "No, but WE WILL SERVE THE LORD!"  The memory of crossing the Red Sea and defeating all who stood in their way of receiving GOD's Promise was fresh on their minds.  Surely they thought they and their descendants would NEVER forget how HIS mighty hand had delivered them???

If you will, replace the children of Israel with the United States of America.  It seems within a couple of weeks of 9-11 the entire nation had returned to worshipping the Almighty Dollar and now hardly ever do we acknowledge that GOD even exists, let alone is a victorious KING seated on HIS throne.  In reading scripture, one is astounded that the Israelites so quickly forgot WHO was responsible for their Exodus and journey to the Promised Land?  But America is just as bad, or worse, than the Israelites ever thought about being!  "For HE is our GOD" should forever be our motto, but alas we are almost forbidden speak of GOD outside of church these days!

Joshua 24:19-20 says in part "You are not able to serve the LORD, for HE is a holy GOD. HE is a jealous GOD; HE will not forgive your transgressions or your sins.  If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then HE will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good."

I'm afraid America hasn't learned to well from history as we have rejected GOD for our own ideas and leadership!  Until America returns to putting GOD on HIS rightful throne we will continue to spiral down the drain of pride and arrogance!  We can "CHOOSE" to serve GOD, or we can "CHOOSE" to continue down the path we are on.  GOD allows us to "CHOOSE", the question is, what will our CHOICE be???