Keeping Faith
20 "If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm, and consume you, after having done you good." 21 And the people said to Joshua, "No, we will serve the LORD!" 22 Then Joshua said to the people, "You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the LORD, to serve him." And they said, "We are witnesses." 23 He said, "Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel." 24 The people said to Joshua, "The LORD our God we will serve, and him we will obey." (Joshua 24:20-24)
Under Joshua's leadership, some of the people of Israel picked up the worship traditions of those surrounding their new home, while others turned their focus to the gods of their ancestors. It seemed that the God who had brought them out of slavery had been deemed either irrelevant or insufficient. So Joshua called the community to reaffirm their commitment to their end of the covenant that God had made with them - faithfulness to God alone.
We face the same temptation to turn away from God. Shaping our time, attention and priorities around our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer might seem unnecessary if our lives are going according to our plans, and it might seem like a waste of energy if life is challenging or painful. But, just as Joshua reminded his people that no one and no thing could ever do for them what God had done, we are also charged with remembering all that God has brought us through and acknowledging that we are where we are and who we are only by God's grace and mercy.
No matter how difficult our journey, we have never walked alone, and God's promise to never leave nor forsake us can encourage even our darkest days. Keeping our faith in God, and God alone, is still our end of our covenant with God. Standing firm in God's promises, resting in God's care, and striving to follow as God leads, all enable us to keep our "lamps trimmed" - ever ready for the day we will see God's full
redemption, no matter how long it takes.
5 As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' 7 Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 But the wise replied, 'No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' 10 And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. 11 Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' 12 But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' 13 Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. (Matthew 25:5-13)
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