Have you left God in Bed?

Most Christians have either quoted or heard the verse, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” (Joshua 24:15)

I challenge you to think about what it really means, to ‘choose’ who you are serving. The verse says, “this day.” That allows most people too much wiggle room.

I like to interpret, and think of it more in the context of: Making an ongoing moment by moment choice to serve God.

We can all awake fresh. Just out of our nightly slumber; hit our knees or lie still in quite prayer to start the day. And then what,………..?

For most, this is the first and sadly the last choice to even acknowledge Jesus’ presence for the entire day! This same type person latter that evening, when the day’s duties have been shed. Turn once again to the Lord and bellyache about having had an awful day.

Wouldn’t the day have turned out a lot better had you not turned off the light and left God in bed?

Can you see how this kind of relationship lacks the ability to mature into a loving and intimate walk with Jesus?

This kind of relationship is about as intimate as loving the light-switch! Just turning God ‘on‘ and ‘off.’ Calling on Him when you need Him or just happen to remember Him. Isn’t this more like using God as an old pair of shoes to walk on?

The last time a checked this is a position reserved for Satan. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:19)

Let’s take a closer look at that verse in Joshua.

And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of 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)

Some people are shy, or embarrassed, and think there is something wrong being a ‘Jesus Freak.’ Afraid they will be labeled a ‘bible thumper or Goody Two-shoes. Joshua’s scripture should give a sobering conviction warning, “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord,.”

This is the perversion of Satan’s influence on believers. Satan wants you to feel like there is something wrong with serving God. Satan would rather have you succumb to the influences of the people around you who cast the stones of criticism.

This passage in Joshua speaks of secular gods, “on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.” These are the gods of those same people who cast the stones. These people ridicule Believers in attempts to stop your walk with Jesus!

The unsaved sinful people in the world serve their own gods of the flesh. (2 Timothy 3:2-5) For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

Joshua 24:15 ends with the statement, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Satan would prefer that you turned off the light and left God in bed! Besides, He’ll be there tonight when you go back to bed!

Satan loves you being ashamed or embarrassed and serving him all day long. The enemy finds great joy in watching you sheepishly approach God in prayer. Once again lying in bed in the dark begging forgiveness for the myriad of sins committed that day.

I ask you. Wouldn’t it just be easier to take the Lord with you? Wouldn’t it just be easier to walk with Jesus? So you are prepared, protected, and have provisions through His love, every moment of every day?

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

I challenge you to put an ‘Insy Winsy’ pebble in your right shoe. I don’t want it to hurt you. I just want it to be a nuisance nagging at you. Then take a cotton-ball or ear plug and put in your left ear. Just something to ensure you can not hear out of this ear. If you need or choose you can use your left shoe and right ear. The point is to put you out of balance and uncomfortable.

I challenge you to go through ‘one’ day. Make it a your usual day. Take this time to listen and learn about how much the Lord wishes to guide you while Satan is intent on stopping your walk.

I guarantee to you, that if you do this for a day. The Lord Jesus will reveal Himself to you. Jesus will educate you as to the areas in your life where you have walked away and left Him in the Dark.

Christians everywhere are walking through life unprepared and unable to handle the attacks from Satan and his secular world. Christians are stumbling around doing what the world tells them instead of listening to God.

God desires a close intimate relationship with all of His believers. He does not want you out of balance and uncomfortable. Take the pebble (Satan) out of your shoe so you are not double minded and focus on God.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:8)

God wishes to guide and lead you. Some might even benefit if you were to put a cotton-ball or plug in your other ear to block out all the lies of Satan. (John 8:44) Take time to listen to God.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:6)

 

I don’t know about you; but, I don’t Cotton to having things in my shoes.