Good morning,
Praise the Lord for this new day. It is going to be brilliant and beautiful with abundant sunshine. The Lord blessed us with full weekend of worship, fellowship and praise. Alice and walked over four miles last evening under the moonlit and star-studded sky. Indeed, the heavens declare the glory of the Lord continuously and consistently.
Harvey Cox tells the story of his being drafted into the paratroopers during World War Two. "I had never been in an airplane before," Cox says. "Suddenly I was confronted with jumping out of an airplane and floating to earth." During the instruction period, Cox relates, nobody had to poke him in the ribs to say pay attention. "My life was at stake, and I hung on every word the instructor spoke,"
One of the readings for yesterday was taken from Joshua 24. When we stand in front of these words in the final chapter of Joshua, you and I get that same sense of urgency. Nobody has to poke us and say "listen". We feel the compelling power of the words. "Choose this day whom you will serve, . . . ", Joshua says, and we can almost hear his tone of voice. This is important to Joshua; this is vital; this is urgent; this is spoken in the imperative mood. A choice had to be made, and not just any choice. On this choice depended the future of the nation.
A woman, in speaking about her life, said she was looking for a "place to be." Materially, this woman had everything. She had a beautiful house in the best neighborhood. She had a husband who was successful in his job, attractive children, nice clothes, and a membership in the country club. The family were nominal members of the church. This woman made a confession, "I have a big house, but I have never felt at home."
Frederick Buechner spoke about the two "battles" in which each of us engages. One is the battle to do well, to have the big house and all the accessories. According to Buechner, we want "to find our place in the sun," and into that battle we pour much of our energy. We work hard to do well, to achieve, to get ahead, to be recognized. We battle to be a success, believing that if we win that war, we will find the peace and happiness we seek.
The other battle, however, is the battle "inside our skins." Buechner says this is the more significant battle. We get the house, but do we feel at home with ourselves? We purchase the stuff to fill every corner of our place, but we never seem to find a place of peace.
Joshua 24:14-18. Under the leadership of Joshua, the people of Israel invaded and inhabited the land of Canaan. Joshua was in the twilight of his leadership. He gathered the tribes of Israel to Shechem. In the first part of chapter twenty-four, Joshua gave the people the word from God. God reminded the people of His provisions. God called them to remember His leadership in the specific events of Israel's history. As God recounted the story, He was calling Israel not just to remember the details of her history but more importantly to remember the Holy One who has been guiding and shaping that history.
Joshua wanted to leave them with one final reminder, that the people had a covenant with the Lord. The Lord kept His side of that covenant. The Living and Mighty God brought the children of Israel into Canaan. The question became: will the people remember Him? Will they remember to worship the God who has blessed them? Will they serve Him, who has empowered them and given them a place?
"Now therefore revere the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and faithfulness," is the way the New Revised Standard Version translates Joshua's challenge:
Put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the river and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
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These words of Joshua assume several things. First, we have the choice whether to worship or not to worship, what we will worship or what we will not worship. The call of God is not the call to a forced march of obedience. In fact, Joshua says our worship and service are to "be true and faithful." The most important decisions in life cannot be constrained. .
These words of Joshua assume several things. First, we have the choice whether to worship or not to worship, what we will worship or what we will not worship. The call of God is not the call to a forced march of obedience. In fact, Joshua says our worship and service are to "be true and faithful." The most important decisions in life cannot be constrained. .
Joshua, said that when it comes to the Living Lord, a person has to choose. "Make up your minds," Joshua was saying. He and his household clearly and decisively would serve the Holy God of Israel. Joshua's challenge assumes that a response was required, so the people answered Joshua. They remembered the God who had brought them out of Egypt. They remembered the God who had helped them to conquer the land of Canaan. They responded to Joshua, "Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is God." It would have been a happy ending, except we know the rest of the story that is written in the Word of God.. Joshua passed from the scene. The folks gathered at Shechem that day would also pass on. The problem and the preaching, the idolatry and the pursuant invitation to follow Yahweh, continued. Though the people of God chased after other gods, preachers much like Joshua called people back to their covenant commitment.
Perhaps that is why Joshua kept on preaching even after the people had said yes to his sermon. Joshua would not take a simple "yes" for an answer. He kept insisting his listeners understand Yahweh was a holy and jealous God who demanded absolute allegiance. Joshua understood that a simple "I do" one time to this kind of God was never enough. A covenant with Yahweh was life changing, and it meant every day was to be different and the people were to be different for every day.
In Christ,
Brown
Saturday , November 12.2011
Praise and worship service:
First United Methodist Church , Endicott
Sponsored by Union Center UMC
6PM Gathering- Coffeee- Fellowship
6.30PM Worship
Music: Laureen Naik
Speaker: Rev Brown Naik
Dec. 6th is our planned trip to NYC to see the Radio City Christmas show. We need to confirm the bus and show tickets so must have all reservations and money into the office by Thursday, Nov.10. . You don’t want to miss this great opportunity, a bargain at $90 for ride and show. Call 748-6329
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