“CHOOSE!”

Joshua 24:14-15                               (ESV)

“CHOOSE” Whom You Will Serve

“[14] “Now therefore FEAR THE LORD and serve HIM in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. [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.””

Joshua was CHOSEN by ALMIGHTY GOD to lead the Children of Israel after Moses died (Joshua 1:1).  Exodus 6:13 puts the number of men on the exodus journey at “…600,000 men on foot, BESIDES women and children”!  Speculation puts the total number of people leaving Egypt at three million!  No matter, DIVINE INTERVENTION was REQUIRED in order for the Children of Israel to leave Egypt, live for 40 years in the wilderness, and find themselves preparing to cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land!

Joshua was telling the Israelites that they SHOULD trust the DELIVERER that had brought them thus far.  ONLY GOD could have performed the MIRACULOUS feats that took place over the 40+ years since they left Egypt, but that seemed to be fading from their minds?  Once again, ALMIGHTY GOD was taking Israel through something ONLY HE was able to do.  The Children of Israel were told by Joshua to “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”.  

Apparently “choices” do have consequences, even today?  There are many “choices” to be made by each of us, no matter the situations we find ourselves in.  We can either “CHOOSE” to live a life with few challenges and not GROW STRONGER in the LORD, or we can “fight the good fight of the FAITH” (1 Timothy 6:12), even expecting GOD to “deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13)!  

What will we do when faced with taking “the easy” way out or struggling through a “wilderness” in order to bring GOD GLORY?  The climate of “this world” seems to judge us by how much money we have or “easy” our journey is?  GOD might not be GLORIFIED by our huge bank accounts, or by our seemingly successful lives, when our FAITH IN HIM isn’t displayed to others.  Are we willing to “CHOOSE” living for HIM over the security and prosperity of “this world”?  Making sure that we exhibit HIS LOVE AND MERCY should be at the top of our witness.  “CHOOSE” JESUS over what is seen as “ease” and “simplicity”!!!