I love the final chapters of Joshua and especially the part of Joshua calling an assembly of the leadership of Israel together for a covenant renewal. Joshua is close to death but he wants to remind the leaders of Israel one last time to serve the Lord with all their hearts. He reminds them of their history from the times of Abraham, Issac, Jacob and Moses.
24:3 But I took your ancestor Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him into the land of Canaan. I gave him many descendants through his son Isaac.
He reminds them of all the blessings they now have because of God and how God has fought their battles for them.
24:12 And I sent terror ahead of you to drive out the two kings of the Amorites. It was not your swords or bows that brought you victory.
He reminds them of God's faithfulness to fulfill every promise God has made to the people.
24:13 I gave you land you had not worked on, and I gave you towns you did not build—the towns where you are now living. I gave you vineyards and olive groves for food, though you did not plant them.
Then Joshua challenges the people to stay faithful to the Lord their God and to serve God only. To keep the covenant relationship with God and not serve any other gods. Joshua makes the now famous statement:
24:15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
Then I picture the rest of the scene kind of like a pep rally with Joshua the leader barking out statements and the leaders responding with enthusiasm!
Joshua - Will you turn from God and serve idols?
Leaders - No, we will serve the Lord!
Joshua - Can I get a witness?
Leaders - YES! We are witnesses to what we have committed to the Lord!
Joshua - Turn your hearts completely to God and serve Him alone!
Leaders - We will serve the Lord our God. We will obey him alone.
I can just hear them chanting that on and on - We will serve the Lord our God. We will obey him alone. It probably even sounded better in Hebrew!
We need times of enthusiastic connection to God and renewal of our commitment to Him. Some of us may need to be enthusiastic about God as we are about the Chiefs! We need to be reminded it is essential to follow God with all our hearts and to put aside the things in our lives that distract us from serving the Lord. We may not be tempted to set up altars to idols in our homes but we may have allowed things to sneak into our lives that are keeping us from fulfilling our covenant relationship with God.
Pray earnestly this week about what might have stolen your enthusiasm about God and about following Jesus with your whole heart. Ask God to help your renew your covenant relationship with Him to live in the joy of the Lord.
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