Day 101 – Joshua’s Charge & Death

• Well, day 100 has been and gone, and we keep moving on! This reading plan is not about milestones, of course, as nice as they are. Instead, it’s a daily opportunity to get to know God better and desire to live for Him more. Today’s passages will certainly provide food for thought.
• We’ve skipped several chapters in Joshua, which detail more about the sharing out of the land between the tribes. Today’s passage is the final chapter of the book, marking the end of Joshua’s leadership, and of our time reading about him. The focus, however, is not really on Joshua, but on God, and whether we put Him in His rightful place.
• Joshua 24 records a time when Joshua brought all the people together for a meeting to tell them something God wanted them to hear. What is God asking the people to do?
• An idol is, of course, any thing or idea that takes the place of God. What were some of the idols of the people in the neighbouring countries? Why was God so adamant that the people should stay away from other gods or ideas?
• We all have idols. Some are obvious, some are subtle. Some are often thought of as idols, and some may not really be on your radar. What idols are you currently struggling with? Do you ever pray about them?
• What is the response of the people to God’s commands in Joshua 24:16-18?
• What is the interesting response of Joshua to the people’s promises? Look at Joshua 24:19-21. Why do you think Joshua had little faith in the promises made by the Israelites?
• The passage in 1 Samuel takes place a number of years later. What have the Isrealites forgotten, and why did Samuel say that Israel needed to put away their “idols”?
• What did Jesus say it was impossible to do, in the passage we read today in Matthew? What was he trying to say about money? In a world such as ours, how can we “put away the idol of money” in a practical way, when we all need it to live from day to day?
• As we close out the book, Joshua sent the people back to their inheritance (Joshua 24:28), literally meaning their parts of the land. Joshua goes to an inheritance too, but a different one – eternity with his God. Don’t forget that in Jesus we too receive a wonderful inheritance.
• Do you think Joshua lived a life that honoured God, and the command to be brave that we read about in Deuteronomy 31:7-8?

Today’s passages about idols and having more than one master will, I’m sure, make you uncomfortable. If it hasn’t, I’d guess that you are not considering it seriously enough. Read the passages and my notes again if that’s the case. Your heart should be Christ-focused. That’s what your mouths are saying, after all, and your brain knows of the wonderful message of the gospel. But if we’re honest with ourselves, there are other masters in our life. Pride, football, money, status amongst friends, pornographic material, the latest gadget, success, relationships… I bet you can add your own to the list. I bet also that in your hearts your day-to-day desire is for several of the things on this list, rather than on your inheritance in Jesus and letting Him rule the way you live your life.

I know because I’m the same. The way to deal with it is to:

a) know it’s an issue
b) know that true Christians are looking for daily sanctification – that means coming closer to Jesus every day
c) work hard to put to death the idols and sin in their your and to pray earnestly for a increasing desire for Christ to come into your hearts instead
d) be ready to share your burdens with other people who you trust so they can carry their load with you. That could be a youth leader of course, but it doesn’t have to be – any mature Christian in your life should be willing to talk with you, pray for you, and stand by you with encouragement and advice.

I challenge you to take an extra five minutes today – yes, even if you’re behind and catching up! –  to pray about the gods in your life. What needs a clear out, and is your love of Jesus and God’s word ready to come in?

After that, be practical. Think what unhelpful priorities, or sin, needs addressing in your life and work at it like you mean what you pray!