February 10, 2024

Joshua 24.15 (NIV)
“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourself this day whom you will serve. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” 

He doesn’t want meaningless worship or mindless obedience from his subjects. In his sovereignty he graciously gives us the freedom to choose whether or not to submit to his rule.

What is it about serving the Lord that makes it seem undesirable? Perhaps the answer lies not in sacrifice but in surrender. Never mind that Jesus said his yoke is easy – we want to have our way. No one is going to tell us how to run our lives! For most Americans, choosing to serve the Lord is more about inconvenience than any real sacrifice.  Being a “good person” isn’t so hard if you establish good habits. Lots of “good” people aren’t Christians.

What about our households? There are people who are faithful to the Lord but who allow their children to get all wrapped up in the world. They aren’t choosing for their household to serve the Lord. We can’t make our children love vegetables but that doesn’t stop us from putting a spoonful on their plates and insisting that they take a bite. We can’t make them love learning but we make them go to school. No, we can’t make our children love the Lord but we can certainly provide them with examples and opportunities. Being in charge of our household is not about their happiness, but their holiness.*

Serving the Lord might seem undesirable to someone who only looks at what is required of him rather than at what is given to him. Denying yourself and taking up your cross can be pretty demanding stuff.  But Joshua’s challenge seems to be this: Speak up if you think you’ve found something better.

He never asks us to decide for Him, but to yield to Him.*

 *Quote sources available upon request.