Choose For Yourselves This Day Whom You Will Serve

Daily Devotional – Tuesday, December 7, 2021

choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve

Joshua 24:15 (NKJV)

Recently, I watched a video clip of a comedian describing how human beings practice partial atheism. He recounted having helped an old woman with her luggage when both of them were boarding a plane. His did so in the hope that God would see his efforts and spare the plane from crashing.

During the flight, he continued praying and ‘making deals’ with God. “Lord, if we land safely, I will …” Thank God, the flight ended well. Then came the old woman, hoping that the comedian would help her with her luggage again. He ignored her as if He was seeing her for the first time.

Part-time Atheist of Part-time Christian?

Why? There was no need being good anymore. Had he not saved the other passengers from a crash by making a deal with God? Now he could go on with his normal godless life until he would need God again on another flight or when in a quagmire.

Do you think the comedian was a Christian, an atheist, a part-time Christian or a backsliding atheist? Do you find yourself in situations where you give God the front seat and others where you relegate Him to the back seat?  

There is no verifiable data on this but most of us are in their best behaviour when we go to places of worship. We also feel the need for God when we are broke, sick or in other difficult situations as opposed to when our lives are proceeding well.

Joshua’s Challenge to the Israelites

When Joshua realized the Israelites were seesawing between Jehovah and the foreign gods of the Canaanites, he challenged them to take a stance. The God who delivered them from Egypt was a jealous God who would not stomach spiritual infidelity.

Here is Joshua’s heartfelt appeal to the people:

“Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.” (Joshua 24:14-15).

No Middle Ground

There was no middle ground. One could not be worshipping the Lord during the day and venerating idols at night. They could not be part-atheist and part-worshippers of Jehovah. God would never accept to share their hearts with idols.  

Joshua concluded his appeal to the Israelites by stating his resolution. “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:14-15). Joshua led by example. His words influenced the Israelites to resolve, “We also will serve the LORD, for He is our God.” (Joshua 24:18).

The same God requires unadulterated loyalty from us today. If we must commit ourselves to Him, we must do it wholeheartedly. Christianity is a 24/7/365 relationship with God.

Lord Jesus, by my strength I cannot follow you 100% I falter many times. Thank you for always lifting me up when I fall.