Joshua was the leader who brought God's people into the Promised Land.
His obedience to God's plan gave them the miracle at Jericho.
Then victory after victory allowed the nation of Israel to settle in God's promise.
The crux for enjoying the promise was obedience.
Obedience = protection and prosperity
Anything less would lift the Lord's covering.
Joshua's life and leadership had proven faithful.
In Joshua 24, he stands before them with strong words about obeying the law,
including the words we so often see -
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Many people use those words and hang them on the wall,
but what do they really mean?
It pronounces more than we often think.
It's more of a battle cry than a word of homage.
It speaks to a commitment, a responsibility, a vow that will be honored.
Joshua could not force the people to obey.
He couldn't choose for each man,
but do you see who he could choose for?
Those that belonged to him.
He did not say "me and hopefully my family will come along."
We see this throughout scripture.
Noah saved his whole family with his faith.
NO ONE ELSE listened - but his family followed his lead.
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** Wives, do not lose faith if your husband is not leading under Christ.
Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 1 Peter 3:1-2
You can align yourself under God by your faithful obedience,
and respect and love will keep you aligned under your husband as you pray.
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We need fathers to lead and mothers to come alongside in the decisions for our families.
Choices are good for ice cream flavors and socks - not beliefs.
Children are our responsibility until they become adults.
We teach; we guide; we lead.
Not just by our words - by our life.
Following Jesus has never been about words, but about action.
Worship, follow, serve, and love before them and with them.
Many times this faith is beautiful,
but it will often be hard.
Children will not always like the choices and sacrifices,
but God's promises remain true.
And sometimes the childlike faith that rises up in your home
is the biggest blessing of all.
So, I am thankful for a husband who says,
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4
Each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Ephesians 5:33
But there is one thing I want you to know: The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 1 Corinthians 11:3
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:1-4
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