by Pastor Douglas Brauner

Compelled by Mercy

“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua 24:15b English Standard Version

Joshua asks the redeemed people of God to choose whom they would serve. Every day you and I are confronted with this question. Each day, when we wipe the sleep out of our eyes, we hear Joshua’s words challenging us to worship and serve Jesus, the One who died and rose for us.

However, the choice is not as simple as this picture might suggest. We will face temptations to serve the gods of our own making throughout the day not just at the dawning of our struggles, believing that they will make us feel empowered to endure these struggles.

Through Joshua we understand that the mercy of God calls us to the path that Christ has set before us. The Holy Spirit, whom we have received from God, empowers this choosing. God’s word reminds us that this path of Christ alone gives life.

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