Homeward Bound
Today’s Old Testament reading contains one of the most quoted passages from the Old Testament. I have seen it on a plaque in many homes. You may have it in your home: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” We note that this text is in the last chapter of Joshua. Remember God called Joshua to lead the Israelites into the promised land. (Moses, because of the complaints of the people, was not allowed to enter the promised land.) The Israelites had conquered the land and now enjoyed the promise of God. So in this last part of Joshua’s leadership, he called them to reaffirm their covenant with God. They had a choice. They could continue to serve the gods of Egypt or those of the Amorites – the people they had just conquered. They chose God and the covenant. Although, we know how long that lasted. After all the great things that God had done for the Israelites -- a land, peace, and a promise -- they soon forgot God and wandered off to other things. That is a quick synopsis of the Israelites. They renew their covenant with God and then later break it. We note that God does not abandon them in these times or looks for a more loyal people but works diligently to bring them back to the covenant.
That is the story of God’s people; of you and me. Always seeing something that looks better than what God has given or not relying upon God in difficult times, subscribing to something else. The Israelites did this. In fear they made alliances with other nations instead of trusting God. Instead of living in the promise of God they worship others’ gods that seemed more powerful than God. And when trouble arrived they blamed God for their own mistakes. When things got difficult they gave up the covenant and tried to take the easy way out.
Another theme in the Bible is that being God’s people is not always easy. In fact it often is a struggle. I can give you a long list of people that expected things to be easy because they were Christians and those who, when trouble and chaos occur in their lives, expect God to clear it away and make things easy. That was not true for God’s people. Just look at the other texts that we read for today. The followers that turned away because of Jesus’ words. Even after witnessing the miracles of Jesus – making the lame to walk, the blind to speak, and the leper clean – they could not stomach his words of salvation. Or look to our text in Ephesians. There Paul tells us to put on the armor of God. If being a Christian were to be easy you would not need a helmet, sword, and shield. But, as Paul knew and tells us in his letters, answering God’s call is not easy.
The good news is that we do not fight this battle alone. We fight it together with Jesus as our commander. Our helmet, sword, and shield are given to us. So put on that armor of God and live the life that God has called you to. It is the only battle that brings life and love to the world. You are prepared for this battle. Go then, answer God’s call, and share Jesus with the world.