I'll never let go

by Ben

I closed out the book of Joshua by reading the last chapter: 24.

What a cool way to end this book. Joshua, like Moses before him, tells the account of the history of the people of Israel. Everything from Abraham down to the moment that he is speaking is accounted for (if you want to know the history between these points without all of the details about sacrifices, I recommend you read this chapter).

An interesting thing that happens in this section. Joshua essentially challenges the Israelites to "put up or shut up." He offers the decision for them to state that they will follow God for the rest of their lives or if they will go to follow other gods. Two times they claim that they will follow Him, and two times, Joshua suggests that they will turn their backs on God. Finally, they make a covenant that they will follow God and obey the directions and regulations in the Book of The Revelation of God.

This is very similar to how people think of religion in today's society. We follow God when things are good. When we feel that God is treating us fairly. It's easy to believe in God if things seem to be going our way. It is when we fall or struggle that our faith is tested. These difficult times reveal whether we will go back on our word or not.

In my own life, when I am struggling, my spiritual life suffers (specifically, the disciplines). I pray less. I rarely read Scripture. Meditation goes out the window. And my ministry moves away from being a calling and becomes work.

These are the times when I most need to connect with God (through whatever discipline). However, it is difficult to convince myself of that fact. Satan works against us and tries to convince us that the one instance of prayer or reading or meditation or servitude isn't that important and that we can surely miss that one.

Don't miss it. Don't give in to the temptation to let the smallest pieces of God go. These pieces form our connection to God. To our Creator. To our Savior. God hasn't let you go. Do Him the justice of returning the favor.