Tag: farewell address
“As for me and my House”
Scripture reading for March 8th: Joshua 22-24
I like it when someone takes a stand! Its been said that “if you don’t stand for something, then you will fall for anything.” I am not ashamed to tell people that I love Jesus Christ! I also have repeatedly told my children that our family serves the Lord and we are known as followers of Christ. I believe in confessing this publicly! I don’t want the Lord to be ashamed of me because I have been ashamed of Him! (Luke 9:26)
In our reading today Joshua is giving his farewell address to the people. He had lived a hundred and ten years and was wise about the tendencies of his brothers and sisters. He knew by personal experience that they were stubborn and rebellious. He was making a strong statement to those he was leaving behind to provoke them to serve the Lord.
The closing chapter records the famous confession of Joshua:”. . .but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) This confession has stood over the years as a beacon to fathers, pastors, and those who fear the Lord. It brought a positive statement from the Israelites as well! (Joshua 24:16-18) After the positive response, why does Joshua speak negatively about the people’s ability to follow through with serving the Lord? Joshua states: “You are not able to serve the Lord. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end to you, after he has been good to you.” (Joshua 24:19-20)
I believe that Joshua knew these people too well. He also had Moses’ song and God’s prophetic word that warned of these people’s future unfaithfulness. (Deuteronomy 32:15-22) Joshua also knew God’s holiness and his jealous nature! (Exodus 34:14) God would not put up with these sins. This is God’s way of helping His people and showing them love!
Take time today to make a strong confession of faith to someone close to you who needs to hear it! Use Joshua’s challenge and pray that it will provoke a response of positive confession in those you speak it to! “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”
“As for me and my house!”
Scripture reading for March 9: Joshua 22-24
I like it when someone takes a stand! Its been said that “if you don’t stand for something, then you will fall for anything.” I am not ashamed to tell people that I love Jesus Christ! I often confess this when I speak to people. I also have repeatedly told my children that our family serves the Lord and we are known as followers of Christ. I believe in confessing this publicly! I don’t want the Lord to be ashamed of me because I have been ashamed of Him! (Luke 9:26)
In our reading today Joshua is giving his farewell address to the people God had allowed him the privilege of leading. He had lived a hundred and ten years and was wise about the tendencies of his brothers and sisters. He knew by personal experience that they were stubborn and rebellious. He was making a strong statement to those he was leaving behind to provoke them to serve the Lord. There is something about confessing our convictions that helps us to be more established in them. When we take a public stand and let others hear our heart, it is harder to go back on our word. Life and death are in the power of our tongue. (Proverbs 18:21) The tongue is like the rudder of a ship that directs our life. (James 3:4-5)
The closing chapter records the famous confession of Joshua:”. . .but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) This confession has stood over the years as a beacon to fathers, pastors, and those who fear the Lord. It brought a positive statement from the Israelites as well! (Joshua 24:16-18) After the positive response, why does Joshua speak negatively about the people’s ability to follow through with serving the Lord? Joshua states: “You are not able to serve the Lord. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end to you, after he has been good to you.” (Joshua 24:19-20)
I believe that Joshua knew these people too well. He also had Moses’ song and God’s prophetic word that told of these people’s future unfaithfulness. (Deuteronomy 32:15-22) God had warned these leaders so that they could do what they could to preach and prepare the people to avoid these temptations of idolatry and unfaithfulness. Joshua also knew God’s holiness and his jealous nature! (Exodus 34:14) God would not put up with these sins. Good preaching exposes sin and rebellion and leads people to repentance. This is God’s way of helping His people and showing them love!
Take time today to make a strong confession of faith to someone close to you who needs to hear it! Use Joshua’s challenge and pray that it will provoke a response of positive confession in those you speak it to! “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”