Monday, December 21
But Joshua said to the people, “You cannot serve the Lord,
for he is a holy God. He is a jealous
God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign
gods, then he will turn and do you harm, and consume you, after having done you
good.” And the people said to Joshua, “No, we will serve the Lord!” Then Joshua said to the people, “You are
witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord, to serve him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.” He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that
are among you, and incline your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.” The people said to Joshua, “The Lord our God
we will serve, and him we will obey.”
Joshua 24:19-24
Joshua asks the people to make a public declaration of
faith, a commitment to serve God and God only.
After they do so, Joshua reminds them that they are witnesses “against
themselves.” They cannot claim ignorance or deny their affirmation of loyalty
to God. When have you made a public
commitment to serve God? How will you
make that choice evident today? Write
down your reflections.
Prayer:
Gracious God, you abound in steadfast love and yet you hold
us accountable to the public witness we make to serve you. When we forget or neglect our affirmation of
faith, call us back to you and correct our ways. May our witness against ourselves be a
constant reminder that our ultimate loyalty is to you and that commitment is
made visible in how we live. Amen.
Activity:
Think about the characters at the nativity. What might they have experienced seeing baby
Jesus?
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