Serving and Worshiping the Lord
Choosing to Serve: A Journey Through Ancient Shechem to Modern Faith
In the heart of the ancient world lies a city often overlooked but rich with spiritual significance - Shechem. This place, mentioned frequently in the Old Testament, serves as a backdrop for one of the most pivotal moments in Israel's history. It's here that Joshua, leader of the Israelites, challenges the people with a choice that echoes through the ages: "Choose this day whom you will serve."
But why Shechem? This city, nestled between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, was more than just a geographical location. It was a spiritual crossroads. Abraham first encountered God in the Promised Land at Shechem. Jacob buried foreign idols under an oak tree there. And it's where Joshua gathered the Israelites to renew their covenant with God.
Imagine the scene: Millions of people spread across two mountains, their voices thundering as they shouted blessings and curses, affirming their commitment to God's covenant. The natural amphitheater created by these hills amplified their voices, creating a moment so powerful it would be seared into their collective memory.
Fast forward to Joshua 24, and we find the people gathered at Shechem once again. Joshua, now aged and wise, reminds them of their history - of God's faithfulness and their ancestors' struggles with idolatry. He then presents them with a challenge that resonates even today: "Choose this day whom you will serve."
This choice between serving God or other "gods" isn't just ancient history. It's a daily decision we all face. What occupies our time, thoughts, and energy? Is it our work, our entertainment, or even our ministries? Or is it truly God?
The concept of service and worship are intertwined in this passage. The Hebrew word used can mean both, reminding us that true worship isn't just what happens in a church service, but how we live our lives every day. It's about the "liturgy after the liturgy" - how we serve God in our homes, workplaces, and communities.
This idea of service stemming from worship challenges us to examine our motivations. Are we serving out of obligation or a frantic energy of the flesh? Or does our service flow naturally from a deep relationship with God, prompted by His whispers to our hearts?
The apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians 5 that the works of the flesh - things like sexual immorality, idolatry, and discord - are in direct opposition to serving God. Instead, we're called to "take up our cross" daily. This isn't just about enduring hardship; it's about utterly destroying our own selfish desires to fully pursue God's will.
Throughout Scripture, we see glimpses of Jesus appearing even before His incarnation. Joshua encountered the "Commander of the Lord's Army" before the battle of Jericho. Samuel heard the voice of the "Word of the Lord" as a boy. These pre-incarnate appearances of Christ remind us that Jesus has always been at the center of God's plan for humanity.
So how do we serve this God who has revealed Himself to us? We can worship corporately, gathering together to sing praises, pray, hear the Word preached, and partake in communion. But our service to God doesn't end when we leave the church building.
Individually, we're called to cultivate spiritual disciplines like prayer, meditation on Scripture, fasting, and solitude. These practices aren't meant to be burdensome rituals, but pathways to deeper intimacy with God. Like physical training, they may feel difficult at first, but the rewards of meeting with the living God make the effort worthwhile.
Our manner of life should reflect the gospel we profess to believe. As Paul succinctly outlines in 1 Corinthians 15, this good news centers on Christ's death for our sins, His burial, and His resurrection - all in accordance with Scripture and witnessed by hundreds.
This gospel transforms how we view and treat others. We're called to see people not just as physical beings, but as eternal souls in need of reconciliation with God. This perspective can radically change how we engage in our increasingly polarized world, moving us from vitriol to compassion.
Peter reminds us that as believers, we are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession." This identity isn't meant to make us feel superior, but to inspire us to "proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
As we navigate life in a world that often feels hostile to faith, we're called to live as "sojourners and exiles," abstaining from sinful passions and keeping our conduct honorable. Our goal isn't just personal holiness, but to live in such a way that even those who oppose us might see our good deeds and ultimately glorify God.
In the end, the challenge Joshua presented at Shechem still rings true today. We must choose whom we will serve. Will we bow to the idols of our age - success, comfort, or self-glorification? Or will we, like Joshua, boldly declare, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"?
This choice isn't a one-time decision, but a daily recommitment. It's lived out in how we spend our time, treat others, and orient our hearts. As we do so, we join a grand story that stretches from ancient Shechem to the present day - a story of God's faithfulness and His people's journey to serve Him wholeheartedly.
May we, like the Israelites of old, choose this day to serve the Lord, allowing our lives to become living testimonies of His grace and power.
In the heart of the ancient world lies a city often overlooked but rich with spiritual significance - Shechem. This place, mentioned frequently in the Old Testament, serves as a backdrop for one of the most pivotal moments in Israel's history. It's here that Joshua, leader of the Israelites, challenges the people with a choice that echoes through the ages: "Choose this day whom you will serve."
But why Shechem? This city, nestled between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, was more than just a geographical location. It was a spiritual crossroads. Abraham first encountered God in the Promised Land at Shechem. Jacob buried foreign idols under an oak tree there. And it's where Joshua gathered the Israelites to renew their covenant with God.
Imagine the scene: Millions of people spread across two mountains, their voices thundering as they shouted blessings and curses, affirming their commitment to God's covenant. The natural amphitheater created by these hills amplified their voices, creating a moment so powerful it would be seared into their collective memory.
Fast forward to Joshua 24, and we find the people gathered at Shechem once again. Joshua, now aged and wise, reminds them of their history - of God's faithfulness and their ancestors' struggles with idolatry. He then presents them with a challenge that resonates even today: "Choose this day whom you will serve."
This choice between serving God or other "gods" isn't just ancient history. It's a daily decision we all face. What occupies our time, thoughts, and energy? Is it our work, our entertainment, or even our ministries? Or is it truly God?
The concept of service and worship are intertwined in this passage. The Hebrew word used can mean both, reminding us that true worship isn't just what happens in a church service, but how we live our lives every day. It's about the "liturgy after the liturgy" - how we serve God in our homes, workplaces, and communities.
This idea of service stemming from worship challenges us to examine our motivations. Are we serving out of obligation or a frantic energy of the flesh? Or does our service flow naturally from a deep relationship with God, prompted by His whispers to our hearts?
The apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians 5 that the works of the flesh - things like sexual immorality, idolatry, and discord - are in direct opposition to serving God. Instead, we're called to "take up our cross" daily. This isn't just about enduring hardship; it's about utterly destroying our own selfish desires to fully pursue God's will.
Throughout Scripture, we see glimpses of Jesus appearing even before His incarnation. Joshua encountered the "Commander of the Lord's Army" before the battle of Jericho. Samuel heard the voice of the "Word of the Lord" as a boy. These pre-incarnate appearances of Christ remind us that Jesus has always been at the center of God's plan for humanity.
So how do we serve this God who has revealed Himself to us? We can worship corporately, gathering together to sing praises, pray, hear the Word preached, and partake in communion. But our service to God doesn't end when we leave the church building.
Individually, we're called to cultivate spiritual disciplines like prayer, meditation on Scripture, fasting, and solitude. These practices aren't meant to be burdensome rituals, but pathways to deeper intimacy with God. Like physical training, they may feel difficult at first, but the rewards of meeting with the living God make the effort worthwhile.
Our manner of life should reflect the gospel we profess to believe. As Paul succinctly outlines in 1 Corinthians 15, this good news centers on Christ's death for our sins, His burial, and His resurrection - all in accordance with Scripture and witnessed by hundreds.
This gospel transforms how we view and treat others. We're called to see people not just as physical beings, but as eternal souls in need of reconciliation with God. This perspective can radically change how we engage in our increasingly polarized world, moving us from vitriol to compassion.
Peter reminds us that as believers, we are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession." This identity isn't meant to make us feel superior, but to inspire us to "proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
As we navigate life in a world that often feels hostile to faith, we're called to live as "sojourners and exiles," abstaining from sinful passions and keeping our conduct honorable. Our goal isn't just personal holiness, but to live in such a way that even those who oppose us might see our good deeds and ultimately glorify God.
In the end, the challenge Joshua presented at Shechem still rings true today. We must choose whom we will serve. Will we bow to the idols of our age - success, comfort, or self-glorification? Or will we, like Joshua, boldly declare, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"?
This choice isn't a one-time decision, but a daily recommitment. It's lived out in how we spend our time, treat others, and orient our hearts. As we do so, we join a grand story that stretches from ancient Shechem to the present day - a story of God's faithfulness and His people's journey to serve Him wholeheartedly.
May we, like the Israelites of old, choose this day to serve the Lord, allowing our lives to become living testimonies of His grace and power.
Posted in Book of Joshua