Choices

Choices. . . We are faced with choices every day. Should I drive my car or should I walk? Should I wear the black shoes or the brown ones? Most of our choices are easy, uncomplicated and automatic. We recognize, however, life is full of choices, some easy and automatic like the examples and some more difficult with long term consequences.
As Joshua gathered the Israelites for his final official act as the Lord’s servant, one can only imagine the tension he may have felt as he was about to offer the Israelites an important choice, the most important choice of their lives. What must have been in his heart as he delivered this message from God? He was probably overwhelmed at the enormous consequences at stake. Indicating his words were from God, he gave the Israelites a historical look at the past and the blessings they received—a gentle reminder of God’s goodness to them and the favor he has shown them (Joshua 24: 1-14). Joshua then offers the ultimate choice, one we all have to make.

“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods of your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.” Joshua 24: 14 – 15a (NIV)

The choice seems clear – Do we want to continue to worship the gods of today (money, glory, fame, power, prestige or other worldly gods) or do we choose God– and Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Joshua, as he continued, made it clear he and his family had already made that choice,

“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (verse 15b)

There is a necessity of choice. The Israelites had to choose and we have to choose. God will not make the choice for us. Joshua’s words explaining his family’s choice grace the homes of many Christians. When we see these words, let them symbolize the choice God has given us.

Eternity depends on our choice! Choose!

Dearest Lord and Mighty Counselor: We come to you today knowing all must make a choice. One choice will ultimately lead to despair and hopelessness. The other choice will lead to Christ and the eternal kingdom of God. We know the opportunity to choose is a blessing. Thank you for giving us this choice. Help us to be Your messengers to tell others about the choice You have given us. Thank you for your message and Joshua’s example. Help us to let go of worldly gods every day and let us choose to serve You. In Jesus’s Holy and Precious Name we pray. Amen.

Devotion written by Julie Johnson