Joshua 24: 1-3a, 14-25.v 14 “ So fear the Lord and serve Him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone.”
Joshua was asking tough questions to all the tribes, including the elders, leaders, judges, and officers. He reminded them of what the Lord had done in helping to relocate Abraham. In the new land there were new God’s. Joshua wanted the people to fear the Lord and serve Him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone.” The people replied, “We would never abandon the Lord and serve other God’s.” The God is a jealous God if you abandon Him, He will turn against you and destroy you. The people chose to serve the Lord. Joshua made a covenant with the people that day committing them to follow the decrees and regulations of the Lord.
A quick Google search found this definition of covenant in the bible: – A covenant in the ancient world was similar to what we in the modern world would call a contract, treaty, or a will. Each covenant established the basis of a relationship, conditions for that relationship, promises and conditions of the relationship and consequences if those conditions were unmet. We see several times in the Old Testament the people having to reaffirm that they only have one God. We can learn from this practice too. As Christmas begins to be displayed in the stores and letters from charity Christmas appeals arrive at your door, I would like to ask as Christians what do you believe? That Christmas is about presents under the tree or Christ in a stable? About getting the perfect gift and preparing the perfect table or about enjoying whoever is around your table this year and sending gifts to those who Jesus asks us to help, the poor, the hungry, the widows.
Before the busyness of the season and the waiting through Advent starts or takes over all else, take time out to think about your relationship with God, promises that He makes to us and that we make to Him. It doesn’t hurt to ask these questions repeatedly year after year to reaffirm our choices to fear and serve the Lord wholeheartedly.
Prayer: Holy and Lifegiving God, we affirm our relationship with you as we agree to worship only you. Help us to show your love to the world this Christmas season in all we do. Amen.
CrossWalk 