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Which God Will You Choose?
Episode 357
Historical Context and Modern Implications
After crossing the Jordan into the promised land, the Israelites fought the battle of Jericho. Joshua was their leader, and the Lord gave them the victory. In Joshua 24, the general reminds his people of God’s faithfulness to them at Jericho and through their history. He ends by making that memorable statement of faith: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
As Christians in a non-Christian culture, we are also called to take a stand. We can either choose to serve the gods of this world, or the Lord. It’s not easy for us, and it wasn’t easy for the Israelites. There were temptations everywhere to serve other Gods. That’s why Joshua reminds the people over and over,
“Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous.”
In the New Testament, Paul echoes Joshua’s call to the Israelites in 1 Corinthians 16:13: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” It takes courage, determination, and trust in the Lord to withstand the worldly desires and impulses that assault us every day.
Facing Today's False Gods
So, what are some of the false gods we deal with today? Larry Burkett used to say that a false god is “anything that detours our commitment to God”. So, anything you focus on, depend on, or put your trust in other than the Lord is a false god, or an idol. Let’s look at a few of today’s idols:
- Financial Security can become an idol. You might be depending on your retirement plans, savings accounts, and investment income to see you through, but financial security won’t save you in the end.
- Another false god is government provision. Do you expect welfare programs, federal relief checks, or government handouts to meet your needs? These are only temporary fixes. God is your ultimate provider.
- For some folks, power is what they trust. Personal status, reputation, and financial influence might seem desirable, but these don’t have the power to bring peace.
- Another idol you’ll see everywhere is the idea of personal autonomy. “I did it my way” seems empowering. “Follow your own desires” looks appealing, and “I deserve this” feels right, but all of these represent a world view that puts you on the throne of your life. Selfishness and pride are sins that leave no room for the Lord.
It’s possible to be strong in a worldly way, either physically, or by sheer human determination. But I don’t think that’s what Joshua meant when he challenged his people to “be strong and courageous”. True strength is defined by its source, and when the Lord is your source, your strength is from him. Our faith in God is our trust in him to be our strength in times of need.
As it says in Psalm 20, God’s people can “rise up and stand firm”, because “we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” But what if you don’t choose to serve the Lord?
Well, the consequences of trusting in false gods are severe. Throughout God’s word you’ll find warnings against bowing down to idols. Israel suffered God’s judgment many times for their unfaithfulness. On the other hand, there are many benefits to trusting the Lord instead of false gods.
A Call To Choose Christ
One benefit is a closer walk with Christ. Following biblical principles in your financial choices means you’re listening closely to what God wants for you, reading His Word and trusting Christ to lead you. When you invite God into this important area of your life…you’ll begin to understand 1 Timothy 6, “godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Another benefit that comes with trusting God in your finances is peace. When your financial choices are made “in Christ”, the result is peace, because God is in control. As it says in Romans 8:6, “The mind governed by the flesh is death, b
Published on 1 year, 8 months ago