Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

28 March 2024

Reading From Joshua 22-24

“So the people answered and said: ‘Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods; for the Lord our God is He who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, who did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way that we went and among all the people through whom we passed. And the Lord drove out from before us all the people, including the Amorites who dwelt in the land. We also will serve the Lord, for He is our God.’

But Joshua said to the people, ‘You cannot serve the Lord, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you, after He has done you good.’

And the people said to Joshua, ‘No, but we will serve the Lord!’”

–Joshua 24:16-21

     To their credit, the people of Israel fully acknowledge all that God has done for them and they commit to serving the Lord.  Joshua, their leader who has witness their behavior (the good, the bad and the ugly) is more realistic.  He knows how difficult it is to actually follow God in faithful obedience.  “You cannot serve the Lord, for He is a holy God.”  Joshua is saying this because he knows their track record.

     I do not agree with Joshua in his assumption that God will not forgive them when they sin.  The reason I don’t agree with him is that time and again God promises forgiveness when His people  repent.  Whenever people realize they have done wrong, feel genuine remorse and turn to God, He is faithful and just to restore them.  God loves us even though He knows we will falter.  He is right there waiting to pick us up, dust us off, and give us the strength and courage we need to keep moving forward. 

“God, help me be true to my commitment to serve You.  I pray that I will turn away from the countless idols that distract me from Your Presence.  Forgive me for my sins.  Cleanse me with Your blood and replace my sinful desires with holy ones, for You alone are Holy.  You are the Most High God and to You belongs all of my worship.  Amen.”

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  –I John 1:9

For I have hidden my face from this city because of all their evil. Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security. I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel, and rebuild them as they were at first. I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me.  –Jeremiah 33:5b-8