Joshua 24:15, “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your 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.”
Joshua gave his final words to the Jewish people after successfully completing his task, for the Lord, at the end of his life. He had powerfully brought the people of Israel into the Promised Land and defeated the enemies of God. However, he knew the greatest enemy the people of Israel would face was their own families and their own evil hearts.
Joshua knew that the only way Israel could be defeated was if the people turned their backs on God and worshipped the false gods and idols of the surrounding nations. So, he gave them the ultimatum; “you can either serve the Lord or the false gods.” Joshua was clear what he and his household would do because he boldly said, “as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord!”
Your family may not be tempted to serve the gods of the Egyptians or the Amorites; however, they may be tempted to serve the gods of “money,” “sports and entertainment,” “selfishness,” “humanism,” “compromise” and “sexual perversion.” Francis Frangipane wrote, “If we exalt money, status, or sex above the Word of God, we are living in idolatry. Every time we inwardly submit to the strongholds of fear, bitterness, and pride, we are bowing to the rulers of darkness. Each of these idols must be smashed, splintered, and obliterated from the landscape of our hearts.” You need to make up in your mind which “god” you and your house are going to serve.
If you are a leader in your house you should determine when everyone goes to church, does family devotions, obeys God’s commands and goes to preach the Word of God to others. Don’t let actors, politicians, friends, musicians or the world’s culture have the loudest voice in your home — keep God at the center of your family.
At the same time, if you’re not the main leader in your home (maybe you are a teenager or the wife of an unsaved husband), you can start with your life and those you have influence over by saying, “As for me and my heart, I will serve the Lord!” No matter who you are, or what situation you are in, make Jesus the only God of your house!
Reflection
Action
- Establish daily times of prayer and Scripture reading with your family (i.e., “family devotions”).
- Pray for your family to always serve God.
- Don’t let the idols of this world become your god. Keep Jesus as your only Master!
