God's Story Spurs Faithfulness
Joshua 24:16-18: "Then the people answered, 'Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods, for it is the Lord our God who brought us and our fathers up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight and preserved us in all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed. And the Lord drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore, we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.'"
The Israelites responded to Joshua's question of whom they would serve with a whole-hearted commitment to follow the Lord God. Following their declaration to worship and serve God alone was an explanation of who the Lord had been to them and who he was for them at that time.
The hand of the Lord brought the nation of Israel out of the bondage of Egypt. He worked the miracles and plagues in Egypt, then split the Red Sea so the Israelites could walk through as if on dry land. The Lord drowned the Egyptian army who pursued Israel. The Lord travelled among his people and provided food, water, protection, and guidance throughout their wilderness journey. The Lord drove out the nations before the Israelites. What the nation of Israel could never do in their own power and strength, the Lord had done for them.
Because of all that the Lord had done for them and been for them, how could the Israelites turn from the one true God to serve other gods? As the Israelites spoke to Joshua, they were bent on devotion to the Lord. Sadly, we know Israel's history and how quickly a passionate devotion to the Lord can wane. As the people got settled in the land, they experienced God's blessings. During times of blessings, it is easy to forget the Lord and his commandments.
How important it is to remember all that God has done for his people! How important it is to remind ourselves of his faithfulness! Remembering his goodness and telling ourselves and others our stories of his salvation reminds us who God is and who we are. We are his people, and we desperately need to stay connected, to keep our hearts and minds attuned so that we do not fall away from him.
Like Joshua, like the Israelites in this passage, let us declare our intention to serve the Lord. When we find our hearts growing dull, may we tell our stories, recall all that God has done, look to him, and serve him alone.
Reflection:
When do you tend to stray from devotion to the Lord? Can you write your story of salvation today and have it ready to read during those times of straying? Keep writing. Keep remembering. Keep coming back to the Lord your God.
The Israelites responded to Joshua's question of whom they would serve with a whole-hearted commitment to follow the Lord God. Following their declaration to worship and serve God alone was an explanation of who the Lord had been to them and who he was for them at that time.
The hand of the Lord brought the nation of Israel out of the bondage of Egypt. He worked the miracles and plagues in Egypt, then split the Red Sea so the Israelites could walk through as if on dry land. The Lord drowned the Egyptian army who pursued Israel. The Lord travelled among his people and provided food, water, protection, and guidance throughout their wilderness journey. The Lord drove out the nations before the Israelites. What the nation of Israel could never do in their own power and strength, the Lord had done for them.
Because of all that the Lord had done for them and been for them, how could the Israelites turn from the one true God to serve other gods? As the Israelites spoke to Joshua, they were bent on devotion to the Lord. Sadly, we know Israel's history and how quickly a passionate devotion to the Lord can wane. As the people got settled in the land, they experienced God's blessings. During times of blessings, it is easy to forget the Lord and his commandments.
How important it is to remember all that God has done for his people! How important it is to remind ourselves of his faithfulness! Remembering his goodness and telling ourselves and others our stories of his salvation reminds us who God is and who we are. We are his people, and we desperately need to stay connected, to keep our hearts and minds attuned so that we do not fall away from him.
Like Joshua, like the Israelites in this passage, let us declare our intention to serve the Lord. When we find our hearts growing dull, may we tell our stories, recall all that God has done, look to him, and serve him alone.
Reflection:
When do you tend to stray from devotion to the Lord? Can you write your story of salvation today and have it ready to read during those times of straying? Keep writing. Keep remembering. Keep coming back to the Lord your God.
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