“Therefore, be very strong to keep and do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left, that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of… their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them, but you shall cling to the Lord your God just as you have done to this day. For the Lord has driven out before you great and strong nations… One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as he promised. Be very careful, therefore, to love the Lord your God. For if you turn back and cling to the remnant of these nations remaining among you and make marriages with them, so that you associate with them and they with you, know for certain that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you, but they shall be a snare and a trap for you, a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good ground that the Lord your God has given you.”
“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served.., and serve the Lord… Choose this day whom you will serve.” Joshua 23:6-13; 24:14-15
In all Joshua’s godly example and encouragement, he understood the lure and trap of loves foreign to God and His ways. He would not commend God’s people without dire warning of potential downfall, because the pride of victory would always be peppered with the pull of temptation. With every new God-given possession came allure to possess for wrong reasons. They would always face wayward enticements, so there must always be wholehearted commitment to keep the Lord God as first and supreme love. (Revelation 2:4)
Consider the vivid description of the attack and destructiveness of foreign loves. A snare clutches and entangles body, emotion, and spiritual progress. Traps snap at the softest touch, and are difficult, if not impossible, to extricate ourselves from once we’ve been caught. A whip on your sides will sting and goad you forward, farther and faster into enemy clutches whether against your will or not. Thorns in eyes scratch, distort, and disable clear vision while inflicting pain. Would we really choose these if we were fully aware of the consequences?
The challenge is keeping our head when foreign gods come calling. They appear harmless, are often attractive, and magnetically entice our fallen nature. They never reveal coming addiction, turmoil, and ruin. But the Lord issues warning, prepares us by His strong word, and equips us with His Spirit to beware and be vigilant, and victorious. Which way will we choose? (Genesis 3:1-6; 1 Kings 11:4; 2 Corinthians 11:14; Philippians 4:13)
Do we lip-serve ‘far be it from me to forsake the Lord,’ yet serve other gods with interest, time, and affection? What commitment have we made, and what will we put away to ensure its keeping? How regularly do we recount His deeds on our behalf, with thanksgiving? How can we reinforce true and bold devotion to Him? Whom will we come alongside to remain faithful together? (Joshua 24:14-18,23-24)
Lord God, take and keep my whole heart for only You, to love and serve You alone.
As the rain and snow 