March 2025 Devotoinal | renewchurchcleveland

March 1 Choose This Day: The Call to Covenant Faithfulness “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” — Joshua 24:15 The Power of a Decision In Joshua 24, we see Joshua’s final words to Israel. He gathers the people and recounts all that God has done—calling Abraham, delivering them from Egypt, providing for them in the wilderness, and giving them victory in the Promised Land. Then, he presents a challenge: “Choose this day whom you will serve.” This is not a vague spiritual encouragement; it’s a demand for total commitment. Joshua knows that Israel is at risk of forgetting God. The battle for the land is over, but the battle for their hearts is just beginning. Why Do We Struggle to Choose God? At first, the Israelites respond enthusiastically: “We will serve the Lord!” (v. 18). But Joshua pushes back: “You are not able to serve the Lord” (v. 19). Why? Because Joshua knows the human heart. It is easy to make declarations, but true faithfulness requires more than just words. We are drawn to false gods – Just as Israel was tempted by the gods of the surrounding nations, we are tempted by the gods of our culture—success, comfort, relationships, approval. What we love most is what we truly serve. (Matthew 6:24) We want both God and control – Israel wanted to worship God but still keep some independence. We often do the same, treating God as a backup plan rather than our true King. We forget grace – Joshua reminds them that it was God who fought for them and saved them (v. 12). We don’t choose God because we are strong; we choose Him because He first chose us (John 15:16). The Gospel Connection Joshua told the people, “You cannot serve the Lord”—and in one sense, he was right. Israel would repeatedly fail in their covenant with God. But Jesus Christ, the true and greater Joshua, came to do what they could not. He was perfectly faithful, serving the Father completely, even to the point of death on a cross. Because of Jesus, we don’t serve God to earn His favor—we serve Him because we already have it. His grace enables our obedience. The choice to follow God is not a one-time event; it’s a daily surrender to His lordship. Final Thought Joshua’s challenge is still before us: Whom will you serve? Every heart has a throne, and something will sit on it. Will it be Christ, or will it be something else? True joy and freedom are found only when we surrender fully to Him. Prayer: Lord, I choose You today. Help me to cast aside the idols that compete for my heart and to serve You with my whole life. Thank You that Jesus was faithful in my place. Strengthen me to follow You daily. Amen.