Why serve
Joshua 24:25, “So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made for them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.”
I love this discourse between Joshua and the sons of Israel. Joshua reminds them of all that God has done for them since the beginning. Sure, they had gone through hardships, but their was no way that anyone could deny that the Lord had been with them.
Joshua looked at them, and said, “Choose who you will serve, but as for me I will serve the Lord”(My paraphrase of 24:15) Joshua told them I’m drawing a line in the sand, and everyone that chooses to follow God come to me. When I read this story I get chills, and I think about the Alamo. Yes, the Alamo.
When The troops from Texas were in the Alamo during Texas’ Revolution it was the last stronghold they had against the Mexican armies. Legend says that days before General Santa Anna attacked that General Sam Houston(Houston, Texas) addressed the men and told them that they were free to leave if they wanted, but then he drew a line in the sand and every man in the Alamo stepped over that line to join him.
That’s what Joshua did! He drew a line, and told the men that if they wanted to come they could join him, or they could choose to leave. It was up to them,but He reminded them of two things that most Christians today forget. One-Choosing to follow God is not an if/or choice-we’re either ALL IN OR WE’RE NOT IN AT ALL! Let me say that again-WE’RE EITHER ALL IN OR WE’RE NOT IN AT ALL! Jesus said in Matthew 12:30, “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” And Revelations says 3:14, “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write : The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this :15’I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot ; I wish that you were cold or hot.16’So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.”
Following God is not a casual choice we can make minute to minute. Once we make the decision to follow Him it’s a done deal, and there are severe consequences if we choose to go back. Many times in Christendom we try to sell a fluffy teddy bear God, but we avoid the almighty wrathful God. Unless you know both you don’t know God!
The other thing that Joshua reminded them about was the fact that following God was not always easy. He told them to look back, and remember everything you have been through. The 400 years of Egyptian slavery, the 40 years in the wilderness and more. Following Jesus is not always easy. Jesus said in Matthew 5:11, “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.12″Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great ; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Following God is not always easy; people are sometimes going to talk about you, and accuse you of things; in other verses Jesus says people are going to hate you, but then He says after all that is said and done our reward will be great! Greater than we can imagine!!! One of my favorite verses/promises is John 16:33, it says,”These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage ; I have overcome the world.” We are going to have problems in this world, but God reminds us that because of Jesus we will have VICTORY!
Despite it all the problems Joshua, and the Israelites had he said I am going to continue following God because I know that in the end I will receive infinitely more than I give up.
That is why we serve God, not for the easy life, but for the guarantee of an eternal life with Him!!!
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Father God, I thank You for the guarantee of eternal life with You and glory that I cannot imagine, and I ask that You help me stay close to You when hard times come so I will receive the fullness of Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen
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The image above can be found at:http://thesplendorofthechurch.blogspot.com/2007/10/splendor-of-church-blog-exceeds-500.html
Yes, You Can Ministry 