Make a Conscious Decision for God

In this 24th chapter of Joshua, you are able to see a run down of all the awesome things God did for the Israelites. Joshua instructed the people to fear God and worship Him in total commitment. He also told them to get rid of the gods that their ancestors worshiped. He instructed them to make a conscious decision on that very today to choose whether they would serve God or not.

The Israelites said that they would never forsake God for the god of their ancestors. They very were much aware of all of all the situations and conditions that God had brought them out of. And all of the provisions that God had made of their behalf.

Joshua warned the people that worshiping God is not an easy task. He is a holy God, who is calling for holy people to serve Him in spirit and in truth. He is also a jealous God, who will not tolerate "fooling around and sinning" (v.19 - The Message). Joshua continues to warn them that if they leave God to worship foreign gods, that He will come down hard on them. And that God will put an end to them, despite all of the good that He did for them.

Still the people said that they would worship God. So Joshua told them that they were witnesses against themselves and instructed them to get rid of all the foreign gods they had with them. After that, Joshua completed a Covenant for the people that very day in Shechem. This Covenant included every direction and regulation that they were to follow for God. "He took a large stone and set it up under a oak that was in the holy place of God" (v. 26). Joshua said that this stone served as witness and heard every word that God said to them.

I feel so strongly passage, it is such a relevant truth for today. I feel that God is calling us to make a conscious decision about who we will serve. There are so many things that God has done on our behalf, that should compel us to want to give God all of our allegiances. Often times we get consumed with our "foreign gods" - be it our jobs, families, or even material things like our home or vehicles. God is calling for complete reverence and worship to Him and Him alone. And He is so worthy of that! As I look back over my life, I know it's truly been God's grace and mercy that has carried me through. He has been so faithful even when I did nothing to deserve it. It's time to set aside the foreign gods, and put God first. Once we do that everything else will fall into place. God gives us blessing that He does want us to enjoy on this side, but they are not to consume us. We should not be more into our blessing than the Blesser! It's time to rededicate, regroup, and refocus and truly commit to the Covenant you have made with God as a believer. I know I will strive to do this for myself and I encourage you all to do the same. God bless! :-)

Created about 2 years ago