No Compromise
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
No Compromise is the biography of Keith Green, a Christian singer and songwriter. He said ‘In a day when believers seem to be trying to please both the world and the Lord (which is an impossible thing), when people are far more concerned about offending their friends than offending God, there is only one answer… Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him!’ At Christ Church recently, we’ve been hearing a message of ‘no compromise’ from all angles: in both services last Sunday and in this week’s Lectio365 Bible notes; it will also be the subject of the sermon this Sunday morning too. God is definitely making sure we get the message.
Here in our verse, as well as in the surrounding passage, Joshua issues a call to the people to make a decision about who they are going to serve – the gods of the nations around them or the one true God. They have entered the Promised Land and are about to disperse to all corners of that land to enjoy their inheritance. The people rise to the challenge and declare that they will serve the Lord. Next there is a caution not to forsake God, and Joshua warns them that the decision to follow the Lord will mean changes internally and externally. They need to yield their hearts to God and take action to throw away the idols they have been worshipping.
So the call is being issued to all at Christ Church: whom will you serve, and how can we make sure that we don’t cross the line and put other things in the place of God. There is no middle ground; there is no neutral territory; there is no turning back. Where does your allegiance lie? Can you join with Joshua in saying ‘as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord’?
Prayer
Lord we recognise that you are calling us not to compromise – with our faith, with our words, with our actions. You are calling us to put our complete trust in you, and not be distracted by the cares of our lives or pressured by the opinions of others. Thank you for the way in which you have spoken so clearly to us. We recognise Father how easy it is to drift away from you, and we pray that you would help us to be intentional in our discipleship, to follow you in every way and with every fibre of our being.
Thank you that Joshua showed amazing leadership, not only in how he led the Israelites into battle but also in the way that he modelled spiritual leadership. He brought the people to a point of decision and we give thanks that they chose to follow you. We thank you for contemporary examples too of those who have given their all to follow you. Thank you for the life and testimony of Keith Green, and for the songs he left behind which speak of his love for you.
Help us Lord to persevere in our faith and to renew our decision to live for you wholeheartedly each and every day. Please fill us with your Holy Spirit as we know we can’t do this ourselves and in our own strength. We need you. We love you. Protect us we pray from any harmful influences that surround us; may we not get sucked into following things that aren’t of you or compromise on the truth. We want to serve you with everything we’ve got. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Liesel Stanbridge
Prayer Co-ordinator