Serve the Lord
13 I gave you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and you dwell in them. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant.’ 14 “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 the Lord. 15 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.”
Joshua 24:13-15 ESV
Leading up to these verses Joshua was encouraging the tribes of Israel by recounting the faithfulness of God that led them to the promised land. It was God who gave them the land, cities, and food that they hadn't worked for. God often gives us blessings we don't deserve. What ought our response be? To fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and faithfulness.
God has really been doing a work in my heart over the last few months, opening my eyes to gods of this world that draw our attention away from Jesus and family. As I look back over my life there is so much I would want to do differently, while at the same time I know "that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28b ESV)" Life is short, choose today who you will serve. "But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." I pray this is the reality of families all across the world. I pray this for your family.