It was nearly the end of Joshua’s life. He had successfully led his people into the Promised Land, defeating all the mighty foes who once occupied that territory. The Children of Israel were now living in a land for which they had not labored, dwelling in cities they had not built, and eating their fill from fruit they had not planted. God had released them from their years of wanderings in the desert and given them a beautiful land as their new home. Now Joshua declared it was their time for a proper response. He called upon his people to make a choice that very day — to decide which god they planned to serve. Recognizing the truth of his words, they pledged to follow the Lord, agreed to be faithful in this commitment and to turn from their wicked ways. To their credit, it was reported that in all the remaining days of Joshua, the people remained faithful to their Lord.
We have also been mightily blessed. Most of us enjoy a land “flowing with milk and honey.” We came upon this blessing in a land given to us by birth, not one we labored to create. Daily, we freely eat and drink of the goodness of the Lord, in a nation where abundance exists and the good news of salvation is still freely preached. By the grace of God, these and other blessings have been generously passed along to us.
Joshua’s powerful words remind us that a proper response is also required of us for the bountiful blessings that surround us, and from which we freely partake. Let us recognize the source of all this goodness and respond, as did Israel of old, by promising to be faithful to our Lord, and forsaking our wayward ways. In his day, Joshua declared, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” His strong commitment showed the way, and the whole nation followed.
May it be said of us, as it was in Joshua’s day, that we were faithful to our God all the remaining days of our lives.
Robert W. Price
Extended Scripture: Joshua 23–24 (NIV)
