Joshua 23-24
Joshua comes to the end of his life’s journey. Like Moses, before he departs this life, Joshua exhorts the people of Israel to keep the covenant, to continue following the LORD, to cling to Him, and to utterly forsake any and all other gods. Under Joshua’s leadership, Israel is mostly faithful, serving the LORD. (Joshua 24:31) But Joshua knows that even then, there may be some riding the fence, so he challenges them to get off the fence and choose, making it clear where he himself stands:
Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Joshua 24:14-15
The fact that he mentions putting away other gods, strongly suggests that more than a few people still actively cling to those gods, despite all that the LORD has shown them since Egypt. The people confidently declare their allegiance to the LORD (Joshua 24:16-18), but Joshua knows better. He knows that, sincere as they might feel in the moment, they are kidding themselves. He knows they are unable to hold true to the LORD, because he knows that their hearts are already compromised. So he reiterates his exhortation: Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD, the God of Israel. (Joshua 24:23)
And so I ask again: What holds you back from wholehearted devotion to Christ? What else pulls at your heart, demanding your attention? What else do you look to for security? Or for affirmation? Or for provision? Or for love? How do you spend your time? Or your money? Or your energy? Is Christ truly at the center of your life? Is He really on the throne? Indeed, is He your entire life? Why not?