Choose!

Choose!

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 KJV

The decision to follow and serve God is not to be taken lightly. It calls for dedication, total devotion and submission. It is a choice that will be made by all men; it is a decision that nobody can take for you. One thing God always does: He tells you ahead of time what you are gettting by trusting Him, so that it is clear from the start what is at stake. God also knows about hypocrisy and deceit; where I say one thing with my mouth but mean something different in my heart. Let it be clear: God cannot be deceived by outward piety.

The choice is always between two extreme choices. There is no middle ground, no sitting on the fence. You are either all in or all out. The danger of indecision is seen in the letter to the Laodiceans, where even God says He will spue out of His mouth all who are neither hot nor cold. Do I know who I have been called to follow? Have I been caught in the spirit of the times or the place where I am? Does the world's pleasure hold any attraction for me?

Whatever my decision may be, Joshua's decision helps to put things in the proper perspective. He had seen God at work through Moses, and he had also experienced God's mighty miracles. His life showed that he was on God's side, no matter what lay ahead for him or his family. As the world gets more complicated, the need to know and hold on the unchanging Truth of God becomes even more important and necessary. Do I know the Truth? Am I willing and ready to follow Him, no matter what lies ahead? My answer will determine my eternal destination. His time of favour is here.