Who Do You Serve?
Moses had led the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage. The people have traveled to the Red Sea. Pharoah and all of his army are starting to close in on them. The people are afraid and cry out to Moses. Moses talks to God, and He tells him to “go forward.” Exodus 14:15 The problem that they see with this is that if they try to go through the water, they will all drown. Then, God causes the East wind to blow all night long, and the water is parted. The people walk across on dry ground. After all are across, the army comes after them. That’s when the wall of water falls down, and the Egyptians are drowned. God has delivered them.
Moses would lead them through the wilderness for 40 years. All this time they complained. There is no food, so God provides manna from heaven. They need water and Moses strikes a rock and water comes forth to water them and the animals. They tire of manna and want meat. God sends quail to the people. Every time they complain and grumble, God provides for them.
After Moses dies, Joshua becomes the leader of these people. They get ready to go into the land promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God encourages Joshua to be strong and courageous. Read Joshua chapter 1.
When Joshua comes to the end of his life, he tells the people that they need to make a choice. Hear him in Joshua 24:15, “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (NASB)
Today, there is so much evil all around us. We may not have the gods that the people of Israel worshiped, but we do have our gods or idols. It may be that we bow down to the almighty dollar. Some people think that as long as they are financially secure they will have all they ever need. Therefore, they spend most of their time thinking about and acquiring money. Spiritual matters are left undone. God is left out of the picture.
For others, it may be that piece of technology you carry around with you each day—your iphone. It may be your computer. It may be clothes, cars, jewelry, all things that are very dear and precious to you. Whatever we spend the most time thinking about and doing is what is the most important to us. For Joshua, it was serving the Lord. For each one of us, it must be our commitment and dedication to the Lord. Serving Him is more important than any other things.
So, who are you serving today? It matters.