Reggie's Reflections
“AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE”
It was Joshua who said, “Choose you this day whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
Joshua, the intrepid successor of Moses, stood tall and firm before the Israelites. He sought to confirm their faith and to encourage their obedience to God. There was no egotism in his character, but there was grim determination, unswerving faith, and indomitable courage. These were very necessary to the conquest of Canaan, and to the influential leadership of Israel. To this everlasting credit is stated, “And Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua” (Joshua 24:31) It is particularly praiseworthy that he not only resolved to serve the Lord, but that he also intended that his family would serve the Lord.
Note that Joshua and all Israel had the privilege of choice. Just as it was in the days of Joshua, so now people can choose whom they will serve.
God has no draftees in his army—only volunteers. Today we need the same excellent characteristics that Joshua manifested, the same grim determination, the same unswerving faith, the same indomitable courage, and the same wise decision. If we have the wisdom to make the right choice, the determination to live up to that choice, the courage to take the lead for our own soul’s sake and for the sake of those whom we might influence, especially our families, and the faith to do just what the Lord requires; we shall be happier here and happier through all eternity.
We are reminded of Paul’s four-fold command: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit ye like men, be strong.” (I Cor. 16:13)
We, in the sunlight age, should do better than Joshua; but not many do as well. Let’s repeat this resolution until it becomes a part of our lives: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Reggie Nalls
