Joshua 24:13-15 – “And I have given you a land for which you did not labor, and cities which you did not build, and you dwell in them; and behold, you eat of vineyards and olive yards which you did not plant.¹⁴ Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth; and put away out of your heart the strange gods which your fathers served on the other side of the river Euphrates, and in Egypt; and serve the LORD.

¹⁵ And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the river Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

We have considered the account of Joshua’s challenge to Israel.  He challenged them regarding the direction they would take. Would it be God’s gold or the world’s garbage?  He rehearsed what God had done and then placed the decision before them.  We also considered that it is a Personal Decision.  Now we move another step, in consideration of this powerful truth.

IT IS AN IMPORTANT DECISION – It is a decision of Eternal Worth!  It can mean the difference between Eternity with God or Eternity without Him.  It is the difference between Heaven and Hell.

Jesus made it clear that to enter the Kingdom of God and into Heaven, one must be Born Again.  John 3:1-3 – “Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. ² This man came to Jesus^[a] by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” ³ Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again^[b] he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 

Jesus also said that we must do the will of the Father and serve Him with our entire being, loving Him with body, soul, spirit, strength, and mind.  It is a choice each must make and the earlier in life we make it the more opportunity to impact others and see more souls born again.  God wants to use each one NOW!

We need to not only commit our lives to Him but also believe His promises.  I heard a story about a youth in Bolivia who took God at his word and prayed for a baby that was dying. The baby was healed and over fifty people gave their lives to Jesus as a result.  He dared to believe and receive.

Time is a valuable commodity and once spent cannot be reclaimed.  Some live as though they have plenty of time not realizing that this could be their last day on earth.  They have heard the message, the warning, and the plea time after time and year after year, but still hesitate. 

The reality is that each of us has an appointment with death.  All of us!  It respects no person or age.  Jesus could come at any time, or we could meet our maker at any moment so Now is the Accepted Time and Today is the Day of Salvation.  Therefore, it is imperative that we make the Choice today.  We can choose God’s Gold or the World’s Garbage. 

THIS DECISION IS A DECISION THAT MUST BE MADE – Actually it is being made every day.  Jesus warned that no person could serve two masters.  We either serve God with a whole heart or we follow our own selfish desires and the world’s way.  Salvation is a privilege and is open to ALL. 

In Joshua’s words we must – Choose this day whom we will serve!  We can live off the scraps of the world’s table or feast at God’s banquet table of Abundant Life.  The best the world can offer is passing away, but the Gold of God is Eternal.  Jesus is standing at the door knocking, it is up to us to Open the Door.

So, I ask in conclusion, what will it be?  Will you be content with the imitation, the scraps, the leftovers of the world or will you choose the genuine, fresh banquet of abundance and Life in Jesus?  The choice is ours; will it be Gold or Garbage?

May the LORD direct your steps and may you always seek Him with a whole heart.  Have a fantastic day in Jesus!  God bless each of you is my prayer and desire!