March 8, 2026 - Joshua 23-24

The last two chapters of Joshua à his charge to the leaders:  “You have seen all that the LORD your God has done (23:3) . . . be very strong to keep and to 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” (23:6).  à the covenant renewal:  “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 (24:15) . . . as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.  Then the people answered, ‘Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods’” (24:14-16).  Of course, they did forsake the Lord to serve other Gods.  Two thoughts:  1) Like Israel, we have heard and we have seen what great things the Lord has done for us.  Surely, we have every reason to follow him and to trust him.  2) Like Israel, we so easily turn away from God.  This is why the writer of Hebrews tells us, “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus . . . Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:19-23).

Standing on the promises of Christ, my King!

Through eternal ages let His praises ring.

“Glory in the highest!” I will shout and sing,

standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing,

standing on the promises of God, my Savior;

standing, standing,

I’m standing on the promises of God.   --Russell Kelso Carter (1886)