Bible Study - Joshua 24

S — 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 24:15 ESV

O — Commentary:
Joshua boldly challenged them to choose between the gods of Ur their ancestors worshiped (cf. v. 2) beyond the River (i.e., the Euphrates), the gods of the Amorites in Canaan, and Yahweh. Then, adding example to exhortation, Israel's venerated leader assured them that whatever their choice his mind was made up, his course clear: as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

Donald K. Campbell, "Joshua," in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 369.

A — Leadership is influence. John Maxwell said it, and Joshua lived it. At the end of his life, this is what he chose to do with his: he pointed people back to God. Not to himself. Not to his legacy. To the Lord.

What convictions guide your heart, your thoughts, your words, your actions? Joshua never wavered. Can people say the same about you?

Here's the thing about influence — you're always spending it on something. Spend yours helping someone take a step toward God.

R — Father, we worship you. We surrender to you.

Thank you for letting us lead. Now do the deeper work — shape our convictions until they're fully aligned with yours.

Give us the courage to say it out loud, the way Joshua did. Let our lives be so clear that no one has to guess what we believe. And use our influence, Lord, to draw people one step closer to you.