"
REMEMBER OUR PAST"Joshua 24: 14-18
Do you remember what happened sixty three years ago today? - V J Day. Do you remember the date you accepted Jesus as your Savior and Lord? There are times - things - dates - people we need to remember, and work to improve our memory of the good things in life. I remember where I was and what I was doing on V J Day. I remember when I married my wife of over 60 years. I remember the date of our son's birth; I remember the date and where I was at the evening I accepted Jesus as my Savior, and how Bro. Neal charged us when we united with the Hopewell Church, and I remember the seven churches I supplied/pastor.
A knowledge of our roots is very important; like the Jews knowledge of their past; with a destiny to fulfill in this world. These were exciting times for the people of Israel. They had defeated their enemies and claimed the promised land, and they had received their inheritance. It was a time of hope, prosperity and blessings.
But there was the danger that they would fall into a state of complacency - let down their guard. In the midst of this situation, Joshua stands up to deliver to the people a challenge from the Lord. God wants them to dedicate themselves to Him and His work; and He wants wholehearted dedication. That is the clear message of this passage.
Someone said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." So, I would remind you that these are dangerous time for the church as well. One of the key words in the text is
"serve," used fifteen time. To serve God means to fear Him, obey Him, and worship Him. It mean to love Him and fix your heart upon Him, obeying Him because you want to and not because you have to. Is the Lord your choice today? If He has to compete for your time, your attention, your money and your love, it calls your whole profession into question. If you had to rank God on a list of priorities in your life, where would He end up?
Joshua had declared that he and his house would only serve the Lord
(V.15), and the people said (V.18), "therefore will we also serve the Lord; for He is our God." Why didn't the next generation know the Lord and what He had done for Israel? "Because the people of Joshua's generation failed to keep their promise and teach their children and grandchildren to fear and serve the Lord."
If the Lord be God, then serve Him. When we do, He will bless our lives; and if we don't, expect to be chastised. A Christian that refuse to live for the Lord is a poor advertisement for the Lord Jesus Christ!
Let's get it right so that the church can grow and go for the glory of the Lord!
><))):>
In "HIS" Service