18 August 2021 – Joshua 24:15 (NLT)
Scripture
“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.”
Reflection
Joshua had called all the leaders of the tribes of Israel together and they were given a recount of the many wonderful things the Lord had done for them, from the days of Moses until then. They were reminded of the many times the Lord had saved them.
Joshua then admonished the people to put away their idol worship, to fear the Lord and serve him only. He gave them an ultimatum. They needed to decide who they would serve and he made his choice in the matter very clear to them.
It is important to pause and recount the many things the Lord has done for us during our lifetime and even before that, including the generations of our ancestors. When we look back at our past and when we can count the blessings that we see, this will help our resolve to choose to serve the Lord each day.
May we take a few minutes to do that today. Count your blessings, name them one by one.
Thoughts for the day
- What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- How can you apply this message in your current situation
Prayer
Remembering the way that Jesus had compassion upon Mary even from the cross, I think now of people who are particularly fearful at this time -the elderly, the unwell and those without work -presenting each one to Christ on the cross and entrusting them to his love. Pray that they too will count their blessings.