19 But Joshua said to the people, “You cannot serve the Lord, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. 20 If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you, after He has done you good.”
21 And the people said to Joshua, “No, but we will serve the Lord!”
Promises. We’re good at making them, but how do we do at living by the promises we make—especially those we make to God? Many of us have expressed a commitment of our lives to God and His purposes, but we may not always live up to such intent.
Here, the people are quick to agree with Joshua’s statement of dedication, but Joshua knows them pretty well. He knows how easily they have become sidetracked by the temptations around them. He knows that while their pledge to God is sincere, their follow-through hasn’t always been the best. It’s an important moment for them, and he wants to impress that importance on them deeply.
Our promises to God are equally important. While we may lack the capacity to live those promises flawlessly, our commitment to those promises are no less important and must be lived every day. Of course, our lives are more fulfilling when we do so obeying God isn’t just a task to target, but a really good plan for our lives.
– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.
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