Feb 04 – WE WILL SERVE!

“But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24: 15).

Here we find the clear declaration of Joshua. In Tamil, the declaration is even more clear. It translates not merely as ‘we will serve the Lord’, but very strongly as: ‘we will serve only the Lord’. He clearly and strongly testifies that they will not serve any other god.

Our Lord Jesus said: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Mathew 6: 24). There are two masters in this world. One is our Lord Jesus Christ, and the other is Satan. You should love the Lord and hate Satan. If you love the Lord, our God, then you should only serve Him.

Secondly, when you serve the Lord, you should serve Him with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength. The term ‘ with all your heart and all soul’ – refers to serving the Lord hundred percent. Like school children putting their best efforts, with an objective to secure hundred percent in their exams – you should also give your everything in in serving the Lord. “Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart…” (1 Samuel 12: 24).

Thirdly, you should serve the Lord with fear. The Psalmist says: “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling” (Psalm 2: 11). This fear should not arise out of negative motivation that He will afflict us with some disease, or that He will send to Hades, or that He will punish us. It is a reverential fear, that should arise out of the love of God. “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil” (Proverbs 8: 13).

Fourthly, you should serve the Lord with a loyal heart and with a willing mind. That is how David instructed his son Solomon, saying: “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts” (1 Chronicles 28: 9). You should not serve as to men but serve God with a noble heart. You should get involved in His ministry, with a loyal heart and with a willing mind.

Fifthly, serve the Lord with gladness. The Scripture says: “Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing” (Psalm 100: 2). His presence should be your joy. And His tabernacle should be your greatest delight. Serving the Lord comforts your hearts. Children of God, serve the Lord all the days of your life. Serving Him and doing His ministry are the greatest privileges of your life.

Verse for further meditation: “serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews” (Acts 20: 19).