Summary of the Bible in 52 Weeks: 6. Choose

'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 .” '

Joshua 24:15 NIV

Joshua threw down the gauntlet to his wayward people. Already they were wavering in their commitment to the Lord their God, who had brought them out of slavery in Egypt. He gave them a choice. It's a no-brainer really- God is the One True God who delivers his people.

The people of God had previously been moon worshippers from Ur of the Chaldeans. Yet God called Abram, renamed him Abraham, and transformed him into a true believer and the 'father of faith'. His descendants were tempted to go back to the old ways.

As Israel entered Canaan, the gods of the Amorites tempted them. These demonic idols appealed to their lusts with their sex cult practices. Yet Joshua was insistent: he and his family would serve the Lord.

Sadly, the book of Judges reveals that the children of Israel chose to adulterate their lip service of the Lord Almighty by serving the false gods of Canaan. In those days there was no King in Israel (who should have been God). Everyone did as they saw fit in their own eyes.

'Lord our God, may we and our households serve you in spirit and in truth. Please forgive any false religion/idolatry we've allowed to usurp your rightful place. In Christ's name we pray, amen'.


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