(Audio)
Fear the LORD and serve him completely and sincerely.
Cast out the gods your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt,
and serve the LORD.
Joshua knows that the people still have the gods from Egypt and beyond the river in their hearts. He sees that they have some intention of serving the LORD. In fact, they believe that is their only intention. But he sees that they, like us, have not entirely abandoned idolatry. We too like to imagine that we are entirely for the LORD. But then we realize all of the other things in our lives, lesser things, that we sometimes choose instead of God. Joshua wants us to go all in. He helps us to see just why we hold back.
You may not be able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy God;
he is a jealous God who will not forgive
your transgressions or your sins.
Other paths sometimes seem easier. They sometimes seem more practical. In fact, being all in for the God of Israel means relying on his miraculous protection. It means leaning so strongly on him that if he does not support us we fall.
He performed those great miracles before our very eyes
and protected us along our entire journey and among all the peoples
through whom we passed.
We know that the LORD can do these things. But if we are not committed to always relying on him we will definitely run into this or that circumstance where we fall back to relying on ourselves instead. We end up not doing what we know God would have us do out of fear. Or we take actions God would not permit to try to solve the problem. Joshua says we should trust in the LORD entirely. Will we listen?
Our own ability to trust is insufficient. We always straddle the world and the kingdom, looking for the most advantageous opportunities in the given moment. And if we're honest, we choose the world more often than not. Only if, by grace, we become like little children, will we be able to trust God completely.
Children were brought to Jesus
that he might lay his hands on them and pray.
The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said,
"Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them;
for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
After he placed his hands on them, he went away.
The disciples here exist in our own minds and thoughts. They try to keep the simple trust of children at bay. But the children come from grace and offer trust in our minds and hearts. Let us welcome them to the central throne where Jesus reigns.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
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