This is one of the most famous verses in scripture. Joshua at this point is 110 and close to the end of his amazing life. He has been a slave, a soldier, a spy, and a servant to Moses. Then he began the Servant of God in leading the people to and through The Promised Land.
What had he learned more than anything else? He learned that every day we struggle with the choice, the opportunity, for Faith and Following the word and plans of God.
In Egypt, on the road to The Promised Land, at Kadesh-Barnea, in the Wilderness, and then going in and taking possession of the Promised Land; he learned “Choose for yourselves TODAY who, which, what you will worship.”
Asad is the word. It is defined as till, toil, work, serve, accomplish, do, let work – who will you serve/worship. Service is Worship, Worship is service.
v14 – Joshua says, fear the Lord and worship him in sincerity and truth
Fear – yare = awe, awesome – This is why about 30 years ago, I decided to stop using the word “awesome” for anything other than the works of God. How can a meal, or a game, or a song be on equal ground in word description with God and his deeds? We too easily say, “this is awesome”.
God IS awesome, some things are good, or exciting, fun, even great, but awesome? God IS AWESOME!
So, while it’s not a BIG DEAL, I just decided to reserve that word for God alone.
I will, with Joshua, worship, be in awe, of God with sincerity and truth, by not giving away his unique quality in description of something else.
sincerity – tamim = complete, sound, unscathed, perfect
truth – emeth = firmness, faithful, lasting
Choose today, each day, to worship God faithfully, firmly, unscathed, completely, serving him with heart, soul, mind, and strength.
When we give some of our worship to false objects, we fail to worship God in truth and sincerity.
In worship, we have to be active in getting rid of the false gods, that others worshipped.
Are there false gods in my life? I’ve often said taht the things that shape our calendar, get our finances, have our allegiance, are at least in danger of becoming an object of worship. Good things / Bad things / Church things, can become an object of false worship. Be careful, be mindful.
Joshua wasn’t forcing he was admonishing. If it doesn’t please you to worship the Lord… then CHOOSE for yourselves
bachar = examine, test, prefer, make a choice
False gods or the True and Living God.
Make a list – what have they done for you. How is your life ordered?
Psalm 13:8 I will sing to the Lord because he has treated me generously
Psalm 52:9 I will praise you forever for what you have done… I will put my hope in your name, for it is good.
Joshua says as for me, and my house, we will worship the Lord
And the People respond emphatically, we will worship the LORD.
Joshua presses them on the harsh reality of that statement. Then insist they will commit to worshiping the Lord and so he gives us a check list –
THEN…v23-25
- Get Rid of Foreign gods – make a list. For them, there were things they had brought out of Egypt, actually their parents or grandparents had… and they still had them. Make a List. Ask the Lord, “Is there anything I am worshipping besides you, in place of you?”
- Turn Your Hearts to the Lord – it starts within and then moves outward. Check your heart, your passion, your desires – turn them to the LORD – Make a list at why he is worthy
- v24 Make a covenant – that word berith = alliance, promise – but I also think of that as the Head Decision to go with the Heart Decision. Get the false worship out of the way, set your heart, and then set your mind, make a commitment
- Then Worship and Obey – we will worship the Lord our God and Obey Him – this is where we put our hands and feet into the action of our hearts and mind. Do
Choose Today, who you will serve… remove the clutter, set your heart, fix your mind, and get busy in worship
Pastor Goforth 