Whom Will You Serve?

Read Psalm 115

Read Joshua 24

After Joshua utters those famous (famous in Christian circles anyway) words, "Choose you this day whom you will serve..." we read something very surprising. I don't mean the crowd's response, as they profess that they will worship and serve the One True God who has carried them throughout history and brought them to this great and wonderful land of Canaan. I mean Joshua's response after they say they will serve God.

Joshua says, "You are not able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God." Now, to Lutherans that might not be too surprising because we "like" to confess every Sunday that we are poor, miserable sinners. We KNOW we are not able to serve God, in a truly perfect and holy way. But we are never comfortable with words that we hear Joshua utter, "he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins" (v. 19).

So, what do we make of these tough words? The Lutheran Study Bible offers a few possible options and then promotes one of them. I'm not going to elaborate, but say in a more general way that when we are confronted with the toughest portions of the Law (and what could be tougher than this?) we still need to remember and cling to the mercy of Christ. Perhaps Joshua is prophesying their future - and indeed many fall away. Or perhaps Joshua is talking only about the unforgivable sin - the sin that is unforgivable only because it rejects that very forgiveness. Whatever the case, these words should sufficiently warn us to avoid idolatry, to walk carefully, to live for the Lord. In this way Joshua succinctly summarizes and strongly drives home the points made in his farewell address in the previous chapter.

Then, warned about unbelief, we can turn and see our merciful Christ. And just as Joshua recounts Israel's salvation history, we too can remember our salvation history. We have been baptized, and our sins washed away. God has never left our side, but has led us through the wilderness of this life. God has provided physical and spiritual food and drink. He has driven the enemy away from before us. He is keeping us safe until the day when he will carry us safely into the Promised Land, through Jesus Christ, who has himself passed through death into everlasting life. We can rejoice that our sins are forgiven, even though we have not been able to serve the Lord.

With all that gratitude and thanksgiving lifting you up and motivating you today, I now ask - whom will you serve? And how will you serve the Lord today?

Thanks be to God!

Pray:

"Dear Lord of grace, make me know through Your Word that real success is not by my effort but by Your cross. Cause gratitude, love, and loyalty to well up in me as I rehearse Your victories for me and Your blessings to me. Amen." (TLSB p. 378)

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!