Dave’s Monday Blast – June 14, 2021
Who will you serve? Placing God above all else is the only way to rid ourselves of idolatry. Hiroo Onoda was an Imperial Japanese Intelligence Officer ordered to the Island of Lubang in the Philippines in 1944. He was ordered to carry out reconnaissance and conduct guerrilla warfare. He was forbidden to surrender or to give up his life voluntarily.
In the confusion of the defeat of the Japanese army, Onoda was forgotten until 1974 when he was discovered in the jungle. It took a personal visit from his long since retired commanding officer to relieve him of his orders. His devotion to duty is unprecedented. He devoted his life in service to this country. He never compromised his mission. His life was forever defined by this event.
Sadly, his sacrifice was for naught. Good motives but wrong application. Hiroo was serving the wrong God. INTENTIONAL men know that the choice of whom we serve is always up to us. At the end of the day, the effectiveness of our life is not determined by what we want but by the choices we make. In the Christian economy – Success = Obedience to the Word.
Joshua declares a clear choice for himself and his family in Joshua 24:15.
Let’s unpack this declaration:
1. The COMMAND is found in v. 14. God has not made it a mystery who He wants us to serve.
“FEAR THE LORD” Develop a clear God CONSCIOUSNESS in every walk of life.
“SERVE HIM with all SINCERITY“. Don’t be LUKEWARM.
“PUT AWAY other gods”. Walking with God is not a PASSIVE thing.
2. The CHOICE is found in v. 15. God has given us FREE will but we live with the CONSEQUENCES of our CHOICES.
What are our choices? Both choices are made with eternity in mind!
a. Serve the LORD
b. Serve other gods
3. The CONFESSION is found in v. 15. “…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Next week – the cost of choosing to serve the Lord. The story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
