As for Me
READ
After decades of witnessing God's faithfulness, Joshua stood before the people for his final address as their leader. He was now old, battle-scarred, and full of stories about God's miraculous provision. He could have focused on their military achievements, recounted their greatest victories, or given practical advice about future challenges. Instead, he issued a challenge that would define their legacy for generations.
Let’s take a moment to read Joshua 24:14-15:
“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
REFLECT
This wasn't a casual suggestion or a nice religious sentiment—it was a declaration that neutrality isn't an option in the spiritual life. Joshua understood that faith requires daily, intentional decisions. Every morning, we wake up and choose who will have ultimate authority in our lives. Will it be God's voice or culture's pressure? His promises or our fears? His timing or our urgency? His values or society's expectations?
The power of Joshua's challenge lies in its simplicity and urgency. He didn't say, "Think about it and get back to me" or "Consider your options and choose when you're ready." He said, "Choose this day." Why the urgency? Because Joshua had learned that postponed decisions often become negative decisions. Waiting to choose God usually means choosing something else by default.
Joshua's famous declaration, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord," wasn't just a personal statement—it was a leadership decision that would impact generations. He recognized that families don't accidentally end up serving God. It requires intentional choices made by leaders who are willing to stand up and say, "This is the direction we're going, regardless of what everyone else chooses."
Notice the progression in Joshua's thinking. First, he acknowledged other options: "Put away the gods your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt." He wasn't pretending that serving God was the only choice available—he was acknowledging that there were competing loyalties and attractive alternatives. Then he presented the choice clearly: serve the Lord or serve other gods. Finally, he made his own position unmistakably clear: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
This reveals something important about spiritual leadership. It's not about forcing others to make the same choices we make, but about making our own allegiance so clear that others are inspired to consider their own commitment. Joshua influenced through example, not coercion.
What makes Joshua's declaration even more powerful is the timing. This wasn't a decision made in a moment of spiritual high or emotional enthusiasm. This was a seasoned leader, having seen both God's miraculous provision and the people's repeated failures, making a deliberate choice based on a lifetime of evidence. His commitment wasn't based on perfect circumstances or flawless followers—it was grounded in the unchanging character of God he had witnessed throughout his lifetime.
Joshua had seen God part the Jordan River, bring down Jericho's walls, stop the sun for an entire day, and deliver victory after victory. But he had also seen the people worship idols, complain in difficulties, and fail to trust God's promises. His choice to serve God wasn't naive optimism—it was informed faith.
The beauty of Joshua's challenge is that it's not based on feelings or circumstances—it's based on choice. You don't have to feel spiritual to choose God. You don't need perfect circumstances to declare your allegiance. You don't have to wait until you have all your questions answered or all your doubts resolved. You simply need to decide, today, who will be the ultimate authority in your life.
This choice becomes the foundation for everything else. When you've settled the question of who you serve, other decisions become clearer. When challenges arise, you don't have to debate whether to trust God or handle things on your own—you've already chosen. When opportunities for compromise present themselves, you don't have to wonder what to do—you serve the Lord.
RESPOND
Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you read.
What competing loyalties are you facing that require a clear choice between serving God or something else?
How are your daily decisions reflecting who you've chosen to serve?
REST
Take a moment to rest in God’s presence and consider one thing you can take away from your time reading, then close your devotional experience by praying:
Lord, like Joshua, I want to make a clear declaration of my allegiance to You. Help me choose daily to serve You, regardless of what others around me decide. Give me courage to lead my family and influence my community toward faithfulness to You. May my life be a testimony of Your goodness for generations to come. Amen.