POWER FOR SERVICE. Joshua 24 The gathering of God's children at Shechem was highly significant because it was there, between the two mountains, that the tribes "presented themselves before God" in His presence. It was there that the old leader reviewed the history of the nation for the benefit of the people, who only had faint memories of where Israel's journey began. It started when Abraham was called from across the flood. Joshua would have known personally what it was like to be enslaved in Egypt and to be freed on the night of the Passover. The Red Sea crossing, Mount Sinai, and the wilderness experiences before crossing the Jordan River and conquering the land were all reviewed to remind the new generation of the covenant the Lord made with His people. His charge to the people was to fear the Lord, serve the Lord, and avoid the gods of the land. New leaders were needed to help God's people make right choices and respond properly to the Lord. They had a serious responsibility to fulfill.
The land of Israel was a gift from God to His people to serve their benefit and bring glory to God for generations to come. Joshua renewed the covenant following the common protocol of ancient times. First, there was a preamble [v.1]. Then, a historical prologue was presented, recounting covenant practices [v.2 – 13]. Next, the terms and stipulations of the covenant were outlined [v.14 -15]; warnings were given if the terms were not followed [v.19 -20]; witnesses then made a declaration of acceptance [v.22]; and finally, the written document was created, and a stone of testimony was set up under a tree [v.26 – 28]. In each section, significant events are recorded. The challenge of commitment was issued, and the necessary radical change of heart required to uphold the covenant was clearly explained. If the covenant was honored, all would be well. If not, there would be unforgivable consequences.
Every revelation of truth that leads to a deeper Christian life also leads to a greater ability for service. Service can become tedious if it is not based on the Word of God and powered by the Spirit of God. The book of Joshua reveals God's revelation to His people. Between verses two and 13, the divine personal pronouns appear 17 times: “I took… I gave… I sent… I brought you out… I destroyed… I delivered…” It was made clear to them that they owed everything to God’s intervention and power. The same lesson is in Ephesians 2 for us in the Church. Our salvation is the work of God. He has a master plan for us. He is working in us through the Holy Spirit. His goal is to present us as perfect in position, mature in experience, and accepted in Christ Jesus.
Every revelation of truth leads to new and personal service for God based on His word, and it will be a privilege and delight for us. In our life experience, we must choose to serve, v.15. We may respond to His call with enthusiasm but find ourselves powerless to do what we promised. We cannot carry out God's works in our own flesh. We need more than just union with God; we need communion with Him. Because of what the Lord did on Calvary, we can only fulfill the service He calls us to through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Christian experience relies on revelation; without it, it is false. If revelation doesn't lead to experience, we become cold. We may serve but never truly succeed. There can be life without health or movement without progress. Don’t settle for less than vital experiences with God. When we choose to be led by the Spirit of God, we must reaffirm our commitment frequently in our service.
Commitment is more than just words. It requires a way of life that is unique and aligns with the terms of the covenant. The words of Joshua were not spoken casually because his entire life and heart aligned with the commitment he made. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” are famous words that hang on walls but are not often truly embedded in people's hearts. These words declare the stance we must take and whose side we are on regardless of what others may say or do. Our loyalty and allegiance are to Him, who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood. God’s grace was alive in Joshua’s soul.
Joshua's public stand for the Lord demonstrated his spiritual leadership. “Incline your hearts unto the Lord God…” [v.23]. To serve, we must surrender; to overcome, we must obey. Our character should reflect His purity. Our approach to God must be in holiness. Our victory can only come through His power. To live an abundant life, everything must be motivated by love for Christ. Our view of Calvary should strengthen our faith. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” When our service to God is based on His Word, it becomes a privilege and delight. Truth, when it takes hold of our hearts, overflows from us. We think of what the Lord has done for us and our position in Christ; we are motivated to serve because of His goodness. We have experienced His kindness through grace and want to glorify Him. If we serve, we must surrender to the Lordship of Christ. To overcome, we must obey Him and turn faith into experience.
Jacob had come to this old oak tree or monument of Shechem and buried his household goods. In the same place, Israel had set up the law (Shechem lies between the two mountains, Ebal and Gerizim). They returned again at the end of Joshua’s life and committed to obey the Lord. We all experience moments when our hearts are stirred, and we genuinely desire to do all we can for God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Joshua recorded everything there so there could be no mistake about God’s ways and words. He also placed the stone beside the tabernacle as a witness to remind them, whenever they came to offer at the altar, that they had heard the word of the Lord.
Knowing and understanding God’s word and will is a serious matter. We can spend so much time on the means that we forget the purpose—our main goal in life: to glorify God. It’s easy to focus on a building or a method and forget why we are here. In the covenant we have entered, the Lord not only promises to forgive and love us but also enables us to serve Him here on earth. We are naturally able to worship Him properly, but it is the work of our High Priest that grants us acceptance. We must be careful to ensure nothing in our lives compromises the victorious life God intends for us. Joseph and Joshua were great deliverers in their lives. Eleazar was a deliverer in his death because, at his death, those who had fled to the cities of refuge were set free [20:6].
The leader Joshua died, but not before teaching the people what it means to have faith in God. We are to fear and serve the Lord alone [v.14]. This depends on a choice—the choice to obey Him rather than follow other gods. Our Captain has gone into heaven and will soon call us to be with Him. The shepherd, Joseph, had his bones laid with his ancestors. The one who provided for his own in Egypt is now laid with the bones of his father, Jacob, after all those years. The covenant requires us to reject all the principles and practices of the surrounding culture that oppose God’s plan. The priest, Eleazar, also died. These three men were all buried in the allotment given to Joseph’s descendants. We have a Great High Priest through whom we continually have access to God’s presence.
What is acceptable to God in family life? Is loving a person enough? Is it sufficient that the person is a Christian? There comes a time when we must decide whether we are willing to obey the Lord, who has proven Himself trustworthy, or whether we will follow the gods of our own making. Man-made idols or ideas about life and love are easy to slip into and accept. Essentially, this means we are positioning ourselves as the leaders of our lives instead of the Lord. When we live according to our own way, we are choosing who or what will control us. Will it be God, our limited personality, or another imperfect substitute? The choice is yours. Once we decide to be guided and controlled by the Holy Spirit, we must reaffirm that decision daily. We also need to go further—ensuring there is nothing that even suggests it is claiming a place of leadership in our lives. Prejudice, greed, wrong priorities, and jealousy are all issues that can threaten my family’s future.
In a believer's life in Christ, no moment is greater than when we, as His servants, make a genuine commitment to serve and obey the Lord our God wholeheartedly. The promises we make to God and agree to follow are witnessed by the highest authority—God Himself. Remembering God's ways with us, especially when we realize that the One witnessing our renewal of commitment is divine, adds great weight to our words. To speak confidently without sincerity does not reflect reality.
When Joshua took a clear public stand for the Lord, he demonstrated his spiritual leadership. Others then had a tangible example of living by that decision. Our actions show others how committed we are to serving God. Talk is inexpensive. Saying we will follow God is easy, but living it is much more important. The nation followed God during Joshua’s lifetime, which is a great tribute to his faith and leadership.
It is not through human strength or our skills that we can defeat a formidable enemy or overcome difficult opposition. It is not through positive thinking alone that we can hope to gain the insight we need or the ability to live as we should. True power comes when we are willing to serve God in Jesus’ name. It is God who works within us to fulfill His grand plans; it is not some clever organization, a compromise to please others, or slick schemes to serve ourselves. The Holy Spirit works within us, cooperating with God’s intervention, and He produces the results revealed through divine revelation.
I cannot fulfill my calling through my flesh's efforts. It can only be achieved when the Spirit of God guides me and I surrender my own will to divine authority. Communion with God allows me to experience His guidance during decision-making and commitment to fulfilling the Lord's will. There is power in service when I know and am dedicated to accomplishing a work given by God. To serve, I must surrender my will, giving God full control, trusting that He empowers me, my spirit, and my soul. He is the One I choose to serve, and then the work becomes His, enabling me to enjoy more fully the victories He provides. God is faithful in every way!
“I wonder, O God my Father, what was in Joshua’s mind when he looked at all those people before him. Did he sense a movement of compromise already? Even if he did, his statement of strong faith and commitment to Thee must have brought about some change in them, according to their response. If there is anything I can do to challenge the people of God to steadfast, biblical service for Thee and Thy glory alone, please lay it on me so that I might be able to help my brothers and sisters lest they fail to be what they could be. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”