Whom Do You Serve?

   “If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling.” (Joshua 24: 15)

   Joshua had brought the Israelites across the Jordan and into the promised land.  Now they needed to decide who they would serve going forward; the false gods of those who lived in the lands or the one true God.  Once again freedom of choice was put to the test.  God had brought them from Egypt, through the desert, across the Jordan and into the promised land.  Yet He would not impose Himself upon them; the choice was theirs.

   We also must decide who we will serve.  Will it be the one true God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit or the false gods of the society in which we live?  The choice is ours.

   Satan provides us with a nearly endless option of false gods to serve.  He doesn’t care which one we choose so long as it’s not the true God.  We can serve fame and money if that is what we want.  We can worship at the altar of self, seeking only to serve ourselves if that is our desire.  Some want it all and will serve any god that is likely to give them everything they want.  Many serve multiply gods just as the ancient Romans and Greeks had. 

   Saddest of all are those who claim to serve God but instead serve false gods.  They speak of faith, but their faith lies in whatever serves their desires.  Pride is the ruling force in many causing them to look only to themselves rather than to God.  It is the height of hypocrisy to put on the façade of faith and still serve only selfish desires and the gods of self-interest.

   The Israelites responded to Joshua’s call to decision by responding, “Far be it for us to forsake the Lord for the service of other gods.” (Joshua 24: 16).  Yet they repeatedly failed in their efforts to serve God, suffering hardships, exile and captivity by foreign forces.  Still, God was with them ready to welcome them back when they came to their senses and returned to Him.

   He is with us today as well.  Even though we sometimes fail in our efforts He waits to welcome us home when we recognize our failings, seek forgiveness and come back to Him.

   “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24: 15)