August 7, 2020 -- Joshua 24:15 -- Setting the Course

And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Joshua 24:15 English Standard Version

Choose this day whom you will serve. As your feet hit the floor, reconfirm the decision to honour God by your words and your actions, the way you treat others and the response you give when others mistreat you. Set the course of your day every morning and make adjustments through-out the day to confirm your commitment to serve the LORD, to honor Him in all things.

We are infected by the culture around us. How many of us welcome strangers into our homes (Hebrews 13:2) as was commanded? How many of us are advocating for prisoners, who through this whole Covid-19 have been denied basic human rights: family visits, spiritual care, even in some cases access to mail sent to them?! If not advocating for prisoners, how about remembering them—in urgent prayer as Hebrews 13:3 commands. Is the marriage bed undefiled (Hebrews 13:4). Adultery is common in our culture. Celebrated even. How sad. So many of our churches have been torn apart by unfaithfulness. Are you guarding your eyes and examining your heart so that you continually choose to serve the LORD in all your thoughts and actions? This current crisis has led to the government giving away billions and billions of dollars in Covid-19 relief. And now it is evident many people have taken this money who were not eligible for it. No doubt many Christians who were not eligible for this money have also taken it. We are called to keep our lives free from the love of money (Hebrews 13:5). How many Christians spend vast amounts of time dreaming about retirement or hoarding money, or buying up lottery tickets, rather than giving generously for the work of Jesus as is the command of the Word?

If we, with Joshua and many saints through-out the ages, declare but as for me and my house we will serve the LORD how often do we examine our own commitments to Him? The church is not a sanctuary for saints who never sin, it is a hospital for hopeful people who knowing their great sinfulness turn to Jesus Christ again and again. Broken, weary, ruined, wounded Christians who re-affirm their desire to serve Jesus turn to Him again and again and find in Him their great reward. When we, together, affirm this day me and my household will serve the LORD, the healing of Jesus Christ rolls like an incoming tide across our parched land.

John Newton, who near the end of his life penned the well-loved hymn “Amazing Grace” wrote:

Although my memory’s fading, I remember two things very clearly:

I am a great sinner and

Christ is a great Savior.

Indeed, when we daily commit to declaring As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD we are setting the course of our days and the whole direction of our lives in Jesus Christ Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Spirit of the Living God, show us where our lives are swerving from dedicated and true service to the LORD. Spirit of God, strengthen us to confess it, to confront our patterns and to commitment ourselves anew in our declaration as for me and my house we will serve the LORD. Thank You, King Jesus, for Your great saving work. Thank You Jesus, our Savior and LORD, for disarming the devil and his accusations and giving us life. Thank You, Father in heaven, that it was Your great and glorious purpose to seek and save those who were lost. Triune God, blessed and mighty, great is your grace and vast is Your love. Honor and glory, praise and dominion belong to You now and forever more. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx6hGFIEjz8