We Will Serve the Lord

"We Will Serve the Lord"  

S - 

14 "Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth ; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.15 "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Josh 24:14-15 (NASB)
19 Then Joshua said to the people, "You will not be able to serve the Lord, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgression or your sins.20 "If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you after He has done good to you."21 The people said to Joshua, "No, but we will serve the Lord."22 Joshua said to the people, "You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen for yourselves the Lord, to serve Him." And they said, "We are witnesses."23 "Now therefore, put away the foreign gods which are in your midst, and incline your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel."24 The people said to Joshua, "We will serve the Lord our God and we will obey His voice."25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made for them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.26 And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God; and he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak that was by the sanctuary of the Lord.27 Joshua said to all the people, "Behold, this stone shall be for a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the Lord which He spoke to us; thus it shall be for a witness against you, so that you do not deny your God."28 Then Joshua dismissed the people, each to his inheritance.
Josh 24:19-28 (NASB)
O -
It is essential that the service of God's people be performed with a willing mind. For LOVE is the only genuine principle whence all acceptable service of God can spring. The Father seeks only such to worship him, as worship him in spirit and in truth. The carnal mind of man is enmity against God, therefore, is not capable of such spiritual worship. Hence the necessity of being born again. But numbers rest in mere forms, as tasks imposed upon them. Joshua puts them to their choice; but not as if it were indifferent whether they served God or not. Choose you whom ye will serve, now the matter is laid plainly before you. He resolves to do this, whatever others did. Those that are bound for heaven, must be willing to swim against the stream. They must not do as the most do, but as the best do. And no one can behave himself as he ought in any station, who does not deeply consider his religious duties in family relations. The Israelites agree with Joshua, being influenced by the example of a man who had been so great a blessing to them; We also will serve the Lord. See how much good great men do, by their influence, if zealous in religion. Joshua brings them to express full purpose of heart to cleave to the Lord. They must come off from all confidence in their own sufficiency, else their purposes would be in vain. The service of God being made their deliberate choice, Joshua binds them to it by a solemn covenant
—Matthew Henry Concise

(my observation)
This is the last chapter of Joshua, a man of great faith and courage.  A man who endured the Egyptian slavery, trusted in God during the exodus, and was one a few faithful men when God led the Israelites to the promised land the first time was ready to take it.  He endured the long 40 year desert season while God worked on the peoples hearts and attitudes and then he at an older age led into battle the people against numerous Kings and in turn delivered the Israelites into God's promised land.   So this last chapter, these last day's of Joshua's long life he leaves the people with a challenge to choose to love and serve God only.

A -  The application for me has be a life verse for my family : "as for me and my house we will serve the Lord"    I have to remember this is not just a catchy slogan which rings well in a good song, but a choice that I have made.   Like Joshua and the Israelites, the Lord has delivered me and my family from our past and provided me with a promised land full of milk and honey.  A great job, good pay, comfortable home, loving family and bountiful provision.    I am to always remember it is from Him, and that like the Israelites I am to lay down any past idols or allegiances that I had committed to before I committed my life to following Jesus, hearing and obeying His voice.

P -  Lord this is my prayer and my statement of commitment, that me and my family might serve you all the days of our lives.  That we would walk in the truth of your promise, and keep our promise.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.