Scripture
“But if you refuse to serve the Lord, choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

Observation
Joshua summons the people together at Shechem. The land has been possessed and now he brings the people the word from the Lord.

The Lord reminds the people of how he called Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He led Moses to bring them out of slavery in Egypt. Finally He gave them the land- not by their swords and bows but by the hand of the Lord.

Joshua lays before them the choice of which gods they will serve in the land. He and his family are going to serve the Lord.

In response, the people promise to serve the Lord only and to destroy the idols in their midst.

Application
Like the people of Israel, we are surrounded by many gods and idols. The world pressures us constantly to pursue its ambitions and to follow its role models- career, possessions, lifestyle, personal fulfilment.

God calls us to lay aside every god that is not a god and to pursue only saviour, Jesus Christ,

That decision is a daily decision. Like Joshua, I must determine daily, “as for me and my family, “ we will serve the Lord.”

Prayer
Father please help me to put aside all my own dreams and ambitions to follow you alone and to serve you alone. Amen.