Choose Whom You Will Serve

Choose whom you will Serve

Joshua 24: 13-15

Our text today is likely a familiar passage for most of us. Joshua had served the Lord faithfully as he walked beside Moses, being used in various ways to assist their journey from Egypt toward the Promised Land. God had given Joshua favor in the eyes of the people and he was chosen to lead the people as the successor of Moses.

We have actually stepped into the middle of a conversation Joshua is having with the leaders of Israel. He had faithfully led the people across the Jordan River into the land of Canaan. Under his leadership, the people had inhabited the land, and were getting settled in to their new life of promise. Knowing his death was near, Joshua felt compelled to address the people. He was aware of the challenges they would encounter and the temptations they would face. Joshua challenged them to remain committed to the Lord and serve Him only.

Although this passage was recorded thousands of years ago, the truth it reveals remains relevant for our day. Like Israel of old, we face many challenges and temptations. We too must choose whom we will serve, and make a committed effort to remain faithful to the Lord. Let’s consider the declarations of Joshua as we discuss: Choose whom you will Serve.

I. Joshua Spoke of Discernment (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 oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat. Joshua knew his time on earth was about over, and he delivered a solemn charge to the people, prior to his death. He has reminded them of the grace and abundance of God in their lives. God’s goodness to them is summed up in this verse. Consider:

A. The Bounty of Grace (13) – After challenging the people to remember God’s dealings with Abraham, His deliverance from Egypt, and the abundance of the land, Joshua reminded them of the grace of God apparent in their lives. They had inherited a land that was filled with cities in which to dwell and an abundance of fruit and crops for them to eat. The witness of Joshua and Caleb of a land flowing with milk and honey were certainly true!

God has been overlooked and cast aside by many today. His blessing and abundance aren’t even acknowledged, but there can be no doubt that God has abundantly blessed us as well. He has more than met our needs materially; and most importantly, He sent His only begotten Son to die for our sin. God’s good grace has been poured out on us abundantly.

B. The Benefit of Grace (13) – Joshua also reminded them that the cities in which they now dwelt, they hadn’t labored to build. The grapes and olives they were eating came from vines and trees they hadn’t planted. God had brought them into a land that was already prepared with great abundance. All they had to do was move in and enjoy His goodness.

I know that building a home and maintaining a family requires effort on our part. I am not insinuating you are lazy and haven’t worked for what you have, but we cannot deny the benefit of God’s grace in our lives! We have inherited much from those who have labored before us. They have laid a good foundation upon which to build. The Lord Jesus gave Himself as the atoning sacrifice for our sin, and offers salvation freely to all who will come to Him by faith.

Having received so much, we are obligated to be good stewards of that which we have received. I want to continue to build upon this solid foundation in order to leave our children an inheritance similar to what we received. We have been blessed beyond measure! Will future generations be able to say the same? If things don’t change, I am afraid the answer will be, No!

II. Joshua Spoke of Duty (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. In light of God’s abundant blessing, Joshua reminded them of their duty to the Lord. As His children, we too share this obligation. He spoke of:

A. Our Duty to Submit (14) – Now therefore fear the LORD Joshua admonished the people to fear the LORD. This means “to be afraid; to stand in awe; to revere or reverence; to be stricken with a deep sense of honor, reverence, awe, and worship.” It has the idea of recognizing the exalted position of the Lord and standing in awe of Him. Now, I agree that God doesn’t desire us to live in crippling fear of Him, cowering in His presence, but He does demand that we reverence, honor, and worship Him. Joshua knew if the people ever lost their fear of the Lord, their spiritual demise would soon follow.