Monday, July 21, 2008
Choices By Pat Patterson
The entire book of Joshua is a detailed look at Israel entering into Canaan, the Promised Land and conquering all the nations that were living there. It was God’s plan for the Israelites to destroy all the inhabitants of Canaan because they worshiped idols and false gods and God knew that the Israelites might be tempted to follow these false teachings. They were to worship the one true God of Israel.
Joshua 23: 7-8 - And lest you go among these nations, these who remain among you. You shall not make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down to them, but you shall hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have done to this day.
Joshua 23: 9-13- For the Lord has driven out from before you great and strong nations; but as for you, no one has been able to stand against you to this day. One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the Lord your God is He who fights for you, as He promised you. Therefore take careful heed to yourselves, that you love the Lord your God. Or else, if indeed you do go back, and cling to the remnant of these nations; these that remain among you; and make marriages with them, and go in to them and they to you, know for certain that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations from before you. But they shall be snares and traps to you, and scourges on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land which the Lord your God has given you.
We live in a world today that is full of snares and traps and we are surrounded by false doctrines and teachers of false gods. But we have the choice to live for God. Joshua 24:15- But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
The choice is clear but not ever easy. Choose you this day whom you will follow; the world or our Lord.
