Joshua 24:15 (KJV)
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Joshua had led Israel for several years during the conquest of Canaan, and as he approached retirement, he gathered all the elders and officials of the people. He recounted the great deeds God had accomplished for Israel and passionately challenged them to serve the Lord wholeheartedly. He urged the Israelites to remain unwavering in their commitment to God, establishing a legacy that would last long after his death. Joshua, a faithful servant of God, recognized the importance of leading his family in worship and devotion, exemplifying an inspiring commitment to honoring and serving the Lord. It is written in 1 Kings 18:21, “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” As Christians, we are called to serve and follow God with diligence. In our service to God and the advancement of His Kingdom, He honors us by providing what others strive to attain. Serving God sincerely and wholeheartedly compels Him to act in ways only He can.
Life is defined by our choices, and where we find ourselves is a direct result of our decisions. Committing to the one true God demands our total and unwavering dedication to Him alone. However, we observe that many today exhibit a form of devotion that does not genuinely reflect a change in their character or lifestyle. Too often, their service to God appears insincere and hypocritical, lacking the honesty and integrity that true faith should embody. Many individuals attend church services regularly, yet like sinners, they chase after wealth, status, fame, recognition, personal legacy, pleasure, and all forms of sin. They often invoke God’s name only in times of trouble, forgetting Him during the sunny and serene moments of life. In crises, they cry out for His help but rarely acknowledge Him in times of prosperity. Too frequently, people make bold promises to God when they are in need, but once the storm passes, their commitment dissolves. This reveals a disconnect; their hearts are not truly aligned with God. As believers, we must understand that we cannot serve God on our own terms; we can only serve Him on His terms. It’s time to decide on whom we truly wish to serve. Choosing to side with God’s Word is a continual challenge. We must make decisions that determine our destination within the kingdom of God, irrespective of what others say or do in their attempt to hinder us from living for God. We must make genuine efforts to win them over to Christ by demonstrating godly lives before them at all times and ensuring they attend church services and programs.
Beloved, be committed to God, and refuse to serve the devil as an option. Serve God faithfully, even when faced with the trials and challenges of life. Understand that it is not about what others are doing or what might make the journey easier, nor what is politically correct or socially acceptable; it is fundamentally about God and His plan for your life. Never allow your heart to be divided between God and anything else. After doing all you can, stand firm and have faith that God will handle the rest, and even if He does not act as you expect, He remains God, and all things work together for your good. Take a stand for God, for He who holds the power to accomplish all things is wise enough to know what is best for your life. Do not alter the Word of God to conform to your lifestyle or character. Instead, obey God’s Word and hold on to your faith without wavering because there will be some challenges up ahead: some storms to face, some mountains to climb, some rivers to cross, and some giants to take down. Do not falter or become weary, for those who trust the Lord will find their strength renewed. Embrace a genuine fear of the Lord that transforms your life, for any fear of God that fails to inspire change is a missed opportunity. Reject the facade of reverence while continuing in sin. Decide firmly to take action for God, especially when others remain indifferent and lukewarm towards Him and His purpose on this earth. Today, if you have done anything before this time at the expense of your relationship with God, repent. At the end of your journey, let God say, “WELL, DONE MY SON OR DAUGHTER.” Remember, only workers are entitled to wages, therefore, you should not just watch others serve God, but engage wholeheartedly and excitedly in Kingdom service, and watch God do the impossible in your life.
O Lord, give me the grace to serve You without a divided heart in Jesus’ Name.