So during my devotional time this week, I was reading Joshua. I have been using a devotional written by Priscilla Shirer called "Awaken" and she had referenced Joshua 24: 14-15. The verses read as follows: "Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve theLord. 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.”
So I went ahead and read the whole chapter. Prior to this line in the sand that he drew for them, the Lord reminded them all the things he had done for them. He reminded them of the promise the God made to Abraham to multiply his generations and make them more numerous than the stars in the sky. This He accomplished through Isaac and Jacob (Israel). He also reminded them of how He continually saved them from their enemies and delivered them out of slavery in Egypt. He provided land for them to live on and food for them to eat. After reminding them of all the good God has done for them, Joshua then asks them to decide, either serve God and be devoted to Him, or serve the idols of old. But he makes it clear that they cannot do both for God is a Holy and jealous God who will not share His glory with idols.
What is important about this particular sequence was that God first did these things for them before asking them to make this request of the people, God first did all these things to show His glory and His love for them. While other gods and idols often request something from us first (or many things) before they will show us any favor, God often does quite the opposite. This is a question that is still applicable to us today. We often make idols out of many other things - money, job, family, possessions, relationships, ourselves, etc. All these things make having a relationship with God more difficult as they divide our attention and distract from what God may be asking of us. So what might be in your life that is distracting you, that may be an idol? And more importantly, are you willing to set it aside and serve only the Lord God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength so that He may be glorified? (Matthew 22:37)
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