Daily Devotional Details

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But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you… Joshua 24:15

If this exclusive commitment to God seems unattractive, then here is what you should do: “…choose for yourselves this day who you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living” (24:15).

The alternative may be initially appealing because it is less demanding, but take a very long, hard look at where the alternative will lead you.

You could worship the gods your forefathers worshipped. Joshua is saying, “If you think that serving the Lord seems too tough, then look at the alternative—being right outside of his promises and his covenant.” Perhaps you would like to go back to the position where you did not know him and did not belong to him. Is that what you want?

Then Joshua suggests another alternative. “You could opt for the gods of the Amorites.” Since they had just been routed in battle, it didn’t seem very bright to start worshipping their gods!

Look at the alternative. Don’t just look at it superficially, look at it deeply. If you do not follow the Lord wholeheartedly, what will your life be? A little bit of money? A little bit of sex? A few friends? A lot of laughs? A shelf full of trophies? All these are good in their place, but are any of them what you were made for? No, you were made for something bigger than this.

When Jesus calls us to count the cost, we have to count it on both sides of the ledger. You have to count the cost of following, but you also have to count the cost of staying behind.

Do some counting. How does the ledger look to you?