Remembering your History, Choosing your Future!

Good morning on this November 4th 2008.

I hope that all of you had a good and pleasant weekend, and that you remembered all those who passed away in the last year as Sunday was All Saints Day. Also Friday October 31st was the Churches Reformation day which established the Protestant church. (Thanks Martin Luther for your 95 Thesis)

Well today there is much going on in our world, country, indeed in our society, and even in our scriptures. Today, many persons across America are remembering their history, ancestors and family members dreams and struggles. While many are also faced with choosing their future and the future of this country. The same thing is happening in the Old Testament scripture of Joshua. Joshua is the successor to Moses and in this chapter Joshua is recalling how good God has been to the Hebrew people and reminding them of all that God has brought them through. But Joshua also reminds the people that they can no longer be easily swayed by others religion or idols and must now be committed to God.

Let us look to our scripture of focus for this morning.

Joshua 24:14 ‘Now therefore revere the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. ¹⁵Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.’

Here Joshua gives the people an ultimatum, either serve the Lord or do not be part of this house. (the house of Israel). I know that it is easy to get really caught up in all of the current politics and media, even in the economic recession and all that the world is going through. So we tend to want to trust someone, and something, simply put we need to place our belief in something. The problem is we seem to be placing all of our belief and trust in our leaders political, communal and those in the entertainment arena.

Therefore my inquiry is not about the capability of these leaders, either elected or approved by common census of the community, but the fact that we must be mindful of where we place our trust. in the text Joshua never says follow him, serve him or Moses. But encourages the people to put their trust, love, and faith in God. The truth is that people are human, and people will always let you down. We can support and encourage our leaders, but remember they are just as imperfect as us. Like us our leaders are only enabled to do great things through the empowerment of God.

So in the midst of today's craziness take tie out to reflect, remember, and reconsider whom you are serving in your house. Think about your history and where you come from as well as where your current choices will lead you, both political and especially spiritual.

Be Well, until tomorrow. Love Pastor J