In our lesson for today the people of God are about to cross into the promised land. Joshua reminds the people of all the LORD had done for them. The people respond that they will remember Him and remain faithful to Him. For us today. When we remember everything, the LORD has done for us we can be thankful that He loves us and keeps all His promises.
Hymn: # 60 My faith looks up to Thee
Confession/Absolution:
LORD - we pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father.
In Your compassion forgive us our sins. Known and unknown. Things done. And left undone. And so uphold us by Your Spirit.
That we may live and serve you in newness of life. To the honor and glory of Your Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God have mercy on you. Forgive you all your sins.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ. And may He strengthen you in all goodness.
And by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18
Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, for their heads, for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God. 2 Joshua said to all the people, “the LORD, the God of Israel, says, ‘Your fathers lived of old time beyond the River, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nahor. They served other gods.
14 “Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in truth. Put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, in Egypt; and serve the LORD. 15 If it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.”
16 The people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods; 17 for it is the LORD our God who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and who did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way in which we went, and among all the peoples through the middle of whom we passed.
18 the LORD drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the LORD; for he is our God.”
Hymn # 61 My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
Joshua called all of God’s people together to have a talk with them before they settled into the Promised Land. He wanted to be sure they knew what it meant to truly be God’s people.
Joshua reminded the people how God performed great signs and wonders in Egypt. To get Israel to the Promised Land. God performed great signs and wonders in Egypt to get Israel to the Promised Land. So when it was time for them to enter the Promised Land. They really had no other choice. When they remembered everything, the LORD had done for them. – All they had to do was to remember. And then follow. But you know what happened next. When the people forgot all the LORD had done for them. That’s when they got into trouble.
Here we have Joshua as a leader of Israel. Who is at the end of his career. He’s thinking about the future. He wants them to remember everything the LORD had done and promised. Today. We remember all the LORD has promised.
We remember when the LORD spoke to Noah after the flood: “While the earth remains seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will not cease.” – (Genesis 8:22)
“I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.” (Genesis 9:15)
He remembered His promise to Noah and all living creatures to never flood the earth again, we can trust that God will also remember His promises to us.
He remembered His promise to Noah and all living creatures to never flood the earth again, we can trust that God will also remember His promises to us.
The LORD remembered His promise to Moses. He said, “I have heard the cries of My people. Speaking to Moses He said, “I am the God of your fathers Abraham, Issac and Jacob.”
The LORD remembered the name by which He was to be called. “I am who I am.”
The people were to remember that it was the LORD Himself who defeated Pharoah when he sent the ten plagues in Egypt.
The people were to remember that it was the LORD Himself who destroyed Pharoah’s arm on the banks of the Red Sea.
The people were to remember that it was the LORD Himself who led the people during their wandering through the desert for 40 years.
The people were to remember that it was the LORD Himself who rained down manna from heaven. For the people to eat.
The people were to remember that it was the LORD Himself who supplied quale for the people to eat at twilight.
The people were to remember that it was the LORD Himself who provided water from the rock. When they were dying of thirst.
The people were to remember that it was the LORD who spared them from poisonous snakes. And it was the Savior who said, “And as Moses lifted the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
You are encouraged to remember this promise that Jesus offers forgiveness and life.
Speaking through the prophet Jeremiah we are to remember:
“No longer will they teach their neighbor or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,’ declares the Lord. ‘For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Jeremiah 31:34
John would remind us: 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 But if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9)
At Jesus’ baptism. God the Father promised that Jesus is the one who will fulfill the Law for us. And fulfills all the promises of God for us. Which is life and salvation.
And because of God’s gracious choosing in Christ. Jesus has in-turn chosen you as He says: “You didn’t choose me, but I chose you.” (John 15:16a.) Now God calls us in Christ which connects us to Jesus.
Where else were the children of Israel going to go? Only into the place the LORD was leading them. And where else can you go?
Straight into the loving arms of Jesus who not only forgives and pardons but also strengthens and sustains us along life’s journey.
As the LORD directed the people of the Old Testament so also, He guides and leads you every single moment. Every single day. Into His arms He will hold you. By His sure and steady hand He will direct you. Where else are we going to go? Into the everlasting arms of our LORD and Savior.
Lord, thank you for your love and care. Help us to remember that all our power comes from you. And you alone are all we ever need.
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