MAY 13 

Joshua 24:1-14
Memorise Joshua 24:14
“…now being made free from sin, and become servants to God…”   

What is the nicest thing that someone has ever done for you? Perhaps your computer crashed and you lost all your notes the night before an important examination, and your friend offered to share his notes with you. How did you feel about it? Surely you would have felt a deep sense of gratitude, and will certainly repay the favour if opportunity arises. 

To the Israelites, what God had done for them is far beyond human imagination. In verses 1-13 of Joshua 24, Joshua reminded the people of the great things that God had done for His people, from the time of Abraham’s call all the way to the deliverance of the Israelites into the Promised Land. In essence, this was a recap of God’s wondrous and providential work throughout the history of the people of Israel thus far. And in verse 14, Joshua tells the people how they should respond – they were “therefore” to fear and serve the LORD. Seeing how God had so miraculously and powerfully brought them through multiple trials, surely this was the absolute least that they could do, in gratitude and love towards the Almighty God. The command to serve is also repeated twice, perhaps as a double reminder that they were to serve “in sincerity and in truth”, and also that they should serve God alone and not any other gods and idols. 

Dear teen, what has God done in your life that demands a similar response of fear and service towards Him? Has He not sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross for you? Has He not forgiven you of your sins? Has He not called you to be His child? Has He not promised you a place in heaven? Has He not granted you eternal life? Has He not granted you grace for every trial, strength for every temptation? How, then, can you not give your life to Him, to serve Him with whatever time and talents you have? 

Thought: God has done so much for me – what have I done for Him? 
Prayer: Lord, help me to serve Thee with all my heart, soul, strength and mind!