Joshua told the Israelites, "Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Josh. 24:15). Forty years before, Joshua and Caleb had been scorned by their own people. The faithless Israelites would not believe God nor the reports of Joshua and Caleb, so they were not allowed to enter the Promised Land. They paid an awful price, wandering aimlessly and shamelessly until they all died in the wilderness (Num. 14).
Joshua could have gotten his feelings hurt and moped and mourned. But instead, he continued to follow the Lord and serve under Moses (Num. 11:28). God later chose Joshua to lead the people into the will of God, into the Promised Land. What a switch!
Soon, we will celebrate the day that a group of men chose to be free and signed the Declaration of Independence. Our freedom came at an enormous price. Thousands died so we could have liberty.
The whole world is facing a decision today. We must choose whether or not to be free from terrorism here and free from the terror of a holy God hereafter by believing and receiving the only true God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Our spiritual freedom cost the Lord a great price. Jesus suffered and died for our sins, paid our debt in full, rose again and was seen by hundreds after His resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1–4).
Choose you this day the Lord Jesus as your Savior. The Bible says, "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12). It also says, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). Don't be the person who hears this from God: "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46).
Prayer: Father, may people, by the hundreds, receive the Lord Jesus and make Him Lord of their lives right now as they read this message. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Quote for the Day: "Character is the sum and total of a person's choices." —P.B. Fitzwater
