[Joshua 24:14-20, 22 KJV] “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
“And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods; for the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed: and the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God.”
“And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses.“
If I have just one things to say to you or to anyone I love with my last breath, I will tell you to serve the Lord with gladness. Make that decision today and live with it all the days of your life. I am making the same appeal to you as Joshua made to Israel; however if you think it is evil to serve, choose what you want to serve. I have decided and there is no going back on my words and decision.
Serving the Lord begins with believing on He who was sent. This is the first step to doing the works of God. Believe on Him!
“Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:28-29 KJV)
In serving the Lord, there are two simple questions that you must ask yourself: Is this all that I can do? And if this is all I can do, is this what God really wants me to do?
If all you can do is far below what God expects of you, then you need grace to augment your effort. That is what grace must do for you. Grace supplies what is lacking in you. Grace does not replace work but augment your effort! Receive grace!
Why is it a great thing to serve the Lord? Why should you serve the Lord in sincerity and in the truth?
1. God is the only master who will never leave nor forsake you.
He will sustain you and greatly pardon when you fall into error. God keeps His servants in all their ways. God will be with you through it all and you will never be rejected.
2. God cannot forget your labour of love!
“But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” (Hebrews 6:9-10 KJV)
3. God’s rewards for serving Him are eternal.
“And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away”. (1 Peter 5:4 KJV)
4. If you don’t serve the Lord with gladness, you will serve your enemies
“Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.” (Deuteronomy 28:47-48 KJV)
Stay blessed!
