This is our last day in the book of Joshua! These verses are Joshua´s last speech to the people of Israel. He exhorts the people to abolish idolatry and asks them to serve the Lord. But he reminds them also that, to serve the Lord, they have to be holy.
What does this mean? Unless they put away the idols they were worshiping, they couldn´t serve God. The people had to make a decision to serve God, not because they had to, but because they wanted to.
The people were secretly worshipping false gods and some of them even continued to worship Egyptian gods. The history of the Israelites showed that it was very easy for them to promise obedience to God but, when they had to obey His commands, they constantly broke their promises.
God had given them the land He had promised to their parents. All the promises He had made were fulfilled. Now, the Israelites needed to make a decision. Would they serve God or the idols? They couldn´t do both. They couldn´t receive the blessings God wanted to give them while worshiping idols.
Neither can we.
We can´t expect to receive blessings from God if we are not pursuing holiness. God wants to use you. He has a place, plans, and purpose for all His children. But in order to be useful to the Kingdom, we have to obey God and live a godly life.
Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. – 2 Timothy 2:20-21
We are God´s children. We are chosen. We are loved. God paid a great price for our lives. Those saved by God have to be willing to live a godly, holy life.
My question today is, are you going to be a vessel that brings glory and honor to God or a dishonorable one? How are you responding to the God who wants to use you to help build His Kingdom and share the good news of salvation?
“A useful human vessel of honor does not get involved in the popular things of the world, even the “religious world.” He must remain holy, and this means he must be separated from everything that would defile him.” Wiersbe, W., Be Faithful
Today, as we close the book of Joshua, make a commitment to serve God and only God. See if there are idols in your life that are taking the place of God. Is He number one in your life? Is sin defeating you and taking you off the race?
God´s will for your life is that you would be more and more like Jesus (Romans 8:29). The knowledge of a Holy God should change the way we live.
Content in His service,
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Thank you so much for joining us for our Walking In Victory study! We will now take a two-week break and start our next study, Words Matter, on August 5th! We would love for you to join us as we learn more about the power of words we speak, think and share!
Invite your friends and grab your corresponding journal in our online store here!
See you back on August 5th for this powerful study!
