Will You 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 your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)

The passage “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD” is popular.  It’s printed on plaques, found on old reclaimed pallet wood, printed on the front of Bibles, and even hand-painted on walls of homes.  It adorns Christian homes in many aspects because it is a statement of faith, an affirmation of a family’s commitment and covenant to serve the Lord.                     

These were the concluding remarks given by Joshua, one of the two spies who encouraged the Israelites to proceed into Canaan, despite the giants that lived there, and who was appointed the Israelites’ new leader after Moses’s death.  It’s a bold proclamation that many Christians, even today, seek to follow in their daily lives. 

This verse comes as Joshua tells the Israelites about what God has done for them since the beginning, bringing Abraham into a new land and sending the Jewish people out of Egyptian bondage, through Moses and Aaron, to where they were presently, following Joshua to God’s Promised Land.

Joshua had witnessed several shameful behaviors exhibited by the Israelites as they wandered the wilderness with Moses, from the creation of the Gold Calf to what he had seen prior to his statements from the Lord in Joshua 24.  He pleads with his people to turn away from the gods their fathers worshiped while in Egypt and while traveling in the wilderness. (See Joshua 24:14)

His hope was to show them as he re-visited history about God’s love and provision in their lives and in their ancestors’ lives, and that it was better to serve the Lord who took care of them than false gods who “demanded” unholy sacrifices but did little to help.  His concluding statements to the Israelites are to mark who will be following God in service and who will continue the treacherous path of serving false gods, boldly claiming his family would be serving the Lord.

The people choose the path of righteousness by telling Joshua they would serve the Lord and forsake their former gods, re-dedicating themselves to the covenant with the Lord.  This prompts Joshua to call them all to testify to their allegiance to the Holy God. (See Joshua 24:22)

So, we learn from this revolutionary speech that Joshua brought awareness to the Israelites, reminding them that all their provision and survival in the wilderness over the past several years was from a loving God who had done the same, generations before them, and would continue for generations to come.  That declaration from Joshua and the Israelites centuries ago is still relevant today, as we examine and honestly evaluate whether we are living lives in service to God.

For the Israelites, the Law was what governed them, the proclamations made to Moses from God at Mount Sinai that brought forth the Ten Commandments, the Tabernacle, and laws appointing the proper attire and actions of the priests and demeanor of the people.

Through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus, we, as Christians, no longer need to go to a holy priesthood to interact with the Lord, as we have direct access to God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  Instead, we can go to God at anytime, anywhere, and share with Him our hearts’ desires, our pains, our questions, and our praises to the Lord who loves us. (See Hebrews 10:19-22)

Yet, just as Joshua admonished the Israelites for continuing to embrace their fathers’ gods, we are still at fault for following false gods who promise us comfort, understanding, and love, social media, other religions, careers, even our family and friends.  Truthfully, many of us have chosen to go to others who know less about our situation than the Father who created the heavens and the earth.

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” (Matthew 6:24)

This speech from Joshua calls for us to be witnesses just as he calls the Israelites, that we have to not just speak these words so we “look” like Christians, but proclaim them boldly to ourselves that, from this day forth, our houses, our families, and ourselves will serve only the one, true God.

When parents or couples hang this verse on the wall in their home today, they are proclaiming what Joshua was proclaiming.  Parents have a responsibility to make sure what goes on in their home honors God and excludes activities that do not honor or serve him.  Just as the people of Israel re-dedicate their lives to the Lord, this also prompts followers of Christ to do the same today.  It is a reminder to check your heart, the activities that go on in your home, the example you set for your family, and to what your family is watching or listening.  It’s a chance to check behaviors, actions, and attitudes to ensure all of what we say, think and do, align with Jesus. 

The bottom line is that we, as Christians, need to know serving the Lord isn’t to receive glory from man for our “good deeds,” it is serving in thankfulness for all the Lord has done, is doing, and will do when we leave these earthly homes for an eternal one.  It is also for the pleasure of serving Him and following His will, in that we can help others draw closer to God and make the choice to allow Him into their lives through the acceptance of Jesus.

You are the witness to this proclamation to serve the Lord, as Joshua said to the Israelites long ago, so make the choice to put your service to God before everything else, and know He will be greatly pleased with His good and faithful servants!

For the Sake of Christ

“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.” (Philippians 3:7)

There are many Christians who have sacrificed everything to minister to the people that God led them.  You would think that they would be griping about what they don’t have, and there have been a few, but most of them are the happiest people.  What they have given up for the sake of Christ has been enormous, but they don’t have one regret.  Paul was the same way.

Paul incurred significant loss when he followed Jesus.  He was an up and coming Rabbi as well as the wealthy son of a Roman tentmaker.  He considered it all loss compared to what he gained in Jesus Christ.  Once he set his eyes on Jesus, he never turned back to his old life and never had one regret.

There is a danger in Christianity, where we try to use God to advance our ambitions.  Whether it be riches, prestige, or comfort, we can lull ourselves into thinking that God wants us to prosper in those areas.  To be truthful, those aren’t even on His radar.  God wants you to conform to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to advance His kingdom by making disciples.  Rarely do riches or prestige fall into those areas, but joy and contentment do.

It is a big step of faith to trust God with your whole life.  Many want a backup plan or an insurance policy, but true discipleship is abandoning everything you hold valuable for the sake of Christ.  There will be times of hardship, but there will also be incredible times of God’s provision.  You will see Him work in ways you never thought possible.

If God is leading you that way, go for it. You won’t regret it.

Gain from Your Loss

“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ…”  (Philippians 3:8)

One of the most difficult lessons in life is how to accept loss.  And it’s an ongoing process since our lives constantly change and we’re forced to confront the harsh realities of a world that’s far from perfect.  

Whether you are single or married, a business executive, or stay-at-home mom, you have most likely faced the same moment we all have when your world was shaken to its very foundation.  The marriage that seemed unbreakable.  The parent who exercised every day.  The business that succeeded beyond your wildest dreams. Suddenly a divorce, disease, or bankruptcy created seismic waves that resulted in enormous collateral damage.  The Psalmist asked, "When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3)

During these times our faith can be shaken to the center of our being.  On one hand, trials and painful losses may force us to depend on God for comfort, for peace, for His love and mercy.  But on the other, we may become angry and resistant to Him because we can’t imagine why He would allow such a tragedy in the first place.  

It’s hard to understand that our freedom of choice comes with one of the steepest price tags imaginable, the sorrow and anguish of an imperfect world.  But God never forsakes us.  His heart breaks at our suffering and He knows more than anyone what it means to lose a child, to be rejected by His people, or betrayed by a friend.  In fact, look at what Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Jesus said problems are a natural part of life, but they don’t have to break us.

How can our lives withstand the impact of such news and provide a lasting foundation?  The only way to do this is to intentionally strengthen our foundation each day, turning to the Master Builder for instruction and guidance in building our lives.

Jesus uses a common-sense truth to demonstrate our need for a supernatural foundation that can endure any disaster we encounter, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25)

According to Jesus, the secret is not how much of the Bible you know; it’s how much you live out His truth on a daily basis.  Scripture reveals the secret of putting God’s Word into practice and establishing an indestructible foundation.

First, you need a solid center in your life.  In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus reveals this solid center in the Great Commandment. “…Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”  It is so easy in marriage to look to your spouse to be the source of your happiness, to meet your deepest needs for fulfillment and purpose and meaning. But no human is equipped to sustain someone else at that level.

When you look to your mate to meet needs only God can fulfill, you put too much pressure on that person and on the relationship. The good news is that it’s never too late to ask God to be the center of your life and to build upon His truth as your certain foundation.  Proverbs 3:6 says, “…in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Another primary practice for fortifying your foundation is having a community that cares, a human support system.  You need a team of people around you who love you for who you are and not for what you do.  You need some friends in your life who will still be there after everyone else walks out.  How do you know who your friends are?  When you go through a tough time, they are right there with you.

God designed a way to meet this need we all have for community, the church.  You need a support system because no one can make it in life all alone. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up…Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12)  God designed us to live in community, joyfully offering help when others need it and gracefully accepting help when we are in need.

As long as your heart beats, you will have problems.  But I can tell you this, Jesus Christ will walk through every problem with you, and He will never let you down.  Look what David said in Psalm 94, “Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” (Verses 17-19)

I don’t know what challenges you are facing in your life right now, but God does.  He understands how you feel.  He cries with you in your heartache, and He has the power to turn your life around.  
 
He turned the deepest loss of His own Son on the cross into your greatest gain.