“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 24:15)
Scripture makes it plain: that which holds your primary focus, highest esteem, dearest affection, and chiefest service is your god (Deut. 6:5, Matt. 22:37, 1 John 2:15). Do not be fooled. If the priorities of your heart are largely concerned with gaining material possessions, social status, and the recognition of others, then the world as such is your god. And you need not expect the rewards of heaven, for you already have your reward here (Matt. 6:2-5).
Regardless of what or whom you determined worthy of your worship and service in the past… you must discern and direct the attention of your heart anew every day. A relationship of love and service to God is a living thing. Once Christ changes our heart, and our commitment to Christ is now Lord and Savior of our life, we must daily attend that relationship. For life is full of daily choices as Thomas Hobbes said, “If there is a wavering between two opinions there must necessarily be either an indifference to both objects, or at least a possibility of either, and so there is no real service to Christ.” Joshua understood that, and he did not waiver. “Choose you this day… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
If you invest the majority of your time, effort, focus, attention, and concerns on getting ahead in this world and making a name for yourself, then the evidence of your investment speaks for itself. The world and its fleeting attractions have stolen from you that which only God merits – that care and trust and service which should be God-ward. Therefore, the fruits of your life and labor demonstrate that the world is your god.
Consider what is most important to you. You must face the truth that you don’t serve God if you serve the world (Matt. 6:24). He that would have another god, by default chooses to make the Lord not god, which means also losing access to his sovereign power, protection, and goodness! If this is your choice, you cannot expect to be sustained, preserved, and provided for by him. Do you choose to destroy your own foundation? Would you set ablaze the house you dwell in? Would you sink the ship that keeps you and all you have from sinking?
Do you think you are sufficient to save and keep yourself? If you trust in the world for your sufficiency, it will deceive you. But if you then say, “the Lord shall be my God,” you must give him the position of preeminence in your heart, your mind, and your life. God will have no partner, much less a superior, that is exalted above himself in your soul.
As Joshua said to the Israelites, so consider this question right now, “choose you this day whom you will serve.” How will you answer? Determine now to echo the Israelites’ response, “God forbid that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods.” God will not be an underling in your heart. He will be Lord and have all of you… or none at all.
Contemplations:
- Lord, our work of mortifying the natural man and his sinful desires must be universal, extending itself to all that raises its head for our attention and affection, especially those sins we tend to excuse away or bear with for their supposed insignificance. For it is most certain, that true mortification cannot stand side-by-side with the practice of any known sin. You will not share your reign in the heart and life with any other.
- Lord, may I be able to say with David that I have refrained, not from one or two, but “from every evil way.” He did not knowingly, willingly succumb to the practice of any one sin; knowing full well that every sin is a transgression of your most holy Law.
- Lord, I know that “whoever commits sin transgresses the Law, for sin is the transgression of the Law.” Yes, every sin is transgression because when I sin, I serve myself. I make myself liable to your wrath and judgments here, and even to eternal damnation hereafter if I persist therein. It is true that the one who would not have all of Christ would, in truth, have none of him. And he that would not be rid of all sin has no sincere mind to be rid of any.
- Lord, you are a gentle and loving Savior, but I know that you will have all or nothing. Every sin must be left behind. Help me serve you as confidently as Joshua did. Help me set myself against every sin, great and small, open and secret, carnal and religious. Help me overcome wickedness to the degree that no iniquity can live a day longer, nor sleep a night more in quiet with me.
- Lord, as I desire to serve you, help me fight against sin and wickedness in the strength of the Lord, and then I will quickly find that I enjoy the power and peace of Christ while here in time and be assured that I will reign with him through all eternity.
Further References for Joshua 24:15:
1 Kings 18:21; Gen. 18:19; Ruth 1:15; John 6:67
