“As for Me … I Will Serve the Lord”

The last words of Joshua were “As for me, and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Joshua was going the way of all flesh, and he wanted the people to make up their own minds and not to halt between two opinions. “Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and 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 seems 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.” They could not serve both. Joshua said, “Ye cannot serve God and mammon”.

But Joshua did not leave the people without an example to follow. He set the tone, he set the example, “As for me (in contrast to what others may do) I and my house will serve the Lord.” Never mind what others do, whether in their thousands or ten thousands. “As for me” confirms the importance of free will, and the opportunity to make up one’s own mind, and choose the right path. This simple, individual response encapsulates the spirit and the mind of Christ.

Bro John Muyala (Nalonde, Kenya)