JOSHUA 24:15

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

TO PONDER

One of the things I think people get confused about these days is 'freedom'. People seem to think that freedom should mean being able to do whatever you want to do without experiencing any negative consequences. It's one of he common complaints you sometimes hear about God. Many people these days will describe him as a bully because he only allows those who believe in him and follow him into his kingdom.

Now there's a number of misconceptions in that previous statement, but let me just address one today. What our individual freedoms obsessed culture often perceives as the 'exclusive' bullying of God, is in fact a God extending to us the most complete expression of freedom that we experience in our lives. God says, "I have made a way for you and it is open to all who wish to walk it - no one is excluded" The problem is, many people don't choose to walk it. They want what God promises at the end of it, but they want to get there their own way.

That's kind of what Joshua is saying to the Israelites in Joshua 24. He reminds them of everything God has done to get them to this point. He reminds them that without God they would still be slaves in Egypt. Yet even at this point, God does not demand their allegiance. They are free in this moment, to choose to follow the gods of other nations. They are free to make a choice to abandon the one who has brought them this far. But in making a choice they also have to recognise the consequences.

Today 'other gods' may not look like tiny household shrines or statues of mythical beings, but we do still have a choice each day who we will serve. Our own selfish desires, the expectations of others, the demands of a world that has largely turned it's back on the one who created and sustains it, or will we, with Joshua dedicate ourselves to serving the Lord, even when everyone around us seems to have made a different choice?

PRAYER:Lord Jesus, You often told your disciples that following you would be difficult; that the world would hate them because of you. We experience that in many different ways on any given day. Please help me each day to conciously follow and serve you. Help me to lead my household, my workplace, my social networks and people in all places where I have influence to know your love and the joy of serving you. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle