Don’t Put Up the Plaque Unless You Mean It

We’re all familiar with it. You probably have a plague or door knocker that proclaims it. It’s Joshua 24:15 – As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord forever.

Could your grandchildren and adult children affirm that this declaration is definitely practiced in your home, or would they see hypocrisy? Would they say your home is a place where God is honored and magnified above all?

Notice the context in which Joshua issued the challenge to Israel to serve the Lord in the new land they had just entered. He called upon them to make a decision and carefully evaluate the implications of that decision. They must decide who was truly worth serving—the gods of the cultures around them, or the Lord who delivered them from Egypt and brought them to the land He had promised. If the gods of the world seemed more desirable to them, then serve those gods. But as for Joshua and his family, they would serve the Lord.

The people were quick to make the same declaration to serve the Lord God. But once again Joshua cautioned them to understand what they were choosing. If they choose to serve God, they must understand that He is holy and He is a jealous God. “Be sure you mean what you say,” was the message Joshua delivered to them. He warned them that to declare allegiance to God and then turn instead to other gods, would have disastrous consequences.

It is no less true today than it was then. We are called to serve the Lord… forever. When we post a plague on our door that declares our intent to follow Him, but then we allow the gods of our culture to invade our homes and turn our hearts away from Him, we run the risk of disastrous consequences for ourselves and our posterity.

What does it mean to serve the Lord? Here are some indicators:

• My words match my practice in all of life
• My family and friends have no doubt about my commitment to magnify God as the source of all goodness, truth and blessing
• I treasure my people and my relationship with God more than things and personal gain
• Friends and family know that I do not trust in political power, position, privilege or possessions, but in the power of God and His purposes
• I seek the interests of others above my own
• I find delight in obeying God and doing His will

There are other indicators not listed here. The issue is, “Is there enough evidence to show that the Lord is the One served in your house? It’s important because your grandkids will see through any hypocrisy. If other gods distract you from serving the Lord with all your heart, you could become a stumbling block to them. Guard yourself closely. Take care to see that your life matches your declarations. So much is at stake.

So, let us declare together, “As for me and my house, we WILL serve the LORD… forever!” Don’t put up the plaque unless you mean it… for their sake.