Village Schools of the Bible

A Devotional Study of Joshua
by Max Frazier, Jr.

CHOICES
Joshua 24

Today we arrive at the final study in our series from the book of Joshua. I trust that your heart has been challenged as mine has with the truths which God has brought to our minds.

This closing chapter of Joshua relates Joshua's final challenge to Israel and then his death. Joshua was now 110 years of age. Perhaps, he is the final person in Israel who could remember the days of slavery in Egypt which had occurred over sixty years ago. Yes, he had seen God perform more miraculous things than even he could remember. Joshua's success was based upon his being faithful to God. He had truly heeded those words given to him before he had led Israel across the Jordan River.

Perhaps, among the most well known words of Joshua, are these, recorded in verse 15 of this closing chapter. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods you forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Wow! What a testimony!

Joshua knew that choices are an inevitable part of life. Everyday you and I make countless choices: what to eat and what to wear, which report to work on first at work, what classes to attend or not to attend, to drive carefully or recklessly, and the list goes on and on. Some choices we almost make unconsciously, while others are pondered and prayed over carefully.

But the greatest choice that I can ever make on a daily basis is that of serving the Lord. Although it is God's desire for me to serve Him, He never forces that upon me. It was the Apostle Paul who wrote that we can either yield our bodies to serve sin or to serve unrighteousness (see Romans 6). And the decision I made yesterday has little weight on the decision I make today. Each day must be a new surrendering to God. Each day must be a new conscious choice to walk with Him.

Father, I want to thank You for these weeks of study which I have been privileged to share with so many through the Village Line. You have challenged us with many truths, like the one today on making choices. How we pray for Your wisdom to be given to us so that we might choose wisely. Give us courage to choose the right instead of the easy. Give us discipline to choose daily instead of procrastinating. May we say with Joshua, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Thank You for Your blessings. We give You all the praise and glory through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Joshua 23 Return to Table of Contents