Stay Close

“Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods, for it is the Lord our God who brought us and our fathers up from the land of Egypt.” Joshua 24:16-17a

Everyone of us has a list of things in our minds that we would never do. Decisions and actions so abhorrent that, while we know we aren’t perfect, we’re sure we would not go that far. Whether it is assault, being unfaithful to a spouse, harming a child, committing theft, there are lines we know we would never cross.

When we get to the end of Joshua, God has miraculously delivered Israel from Egypt, preserved them through 40 years of wilderness wandering, given them victory over dozens of tribes and nations and placed them in a beautiful place to grow and flourish as a people. Joshua challenges them to be faithful to God, to raise their children to love Him and to always serve Him humbly. Notice Israel’s response above–“far be it from us….” We would never do that. Yet, a few short years later, Israel had plunged into idolatry and utter rebellion against God. A few generations later, no one could even find a copy of God’s Word.

Be careful when you say, “I would never do that.” Sin is a dangerously slippery slope that leads to ruin and, ultimately, death (James 1:14-15). We get to places we never thought we would go the same way we get anywhere–one step at a time. As Christ followers, we must daily recalibrate our lives to God’s truth. We must keep short accounts with God, confessing our sin, asking His forgiveness. Friends–may God give us daily strength to stay close.

-Pastor Mike