~ by Terry Walters
Joshua 24:1-15
It was probably originally just a common courtesy phrase.
If someone took you to the dance or party,
courtesy would be to stay with that person,
rather than leave them for another.
It evolved into an idiom that means it is best
to stay the course with the person, talent, ability,
process, or system that got you to where you are.
Another old saying is “don't change
horses in the middle of the stream.”
It means that once you have committed to a particular course
of action, don't be too eager to change before you're done.
The Israelites knew the history of their ancestors
as well as their own personal experience.
God was the one who had miraculously
delivered their ancestors from Egypt.
He had caused the plagues and parted the Red Sea.
He was the God who had sustained them
through the years in the wilderness.
God had handed them victory after victory.
He had provided them cities they had not had
to build and vineyards they hadn't planted.
Yet they were on the verge of deserting God for
the idols and false gods of the people around them!
Joshua reminded them of their history with
God and told them they had to make a choice.
He added that, as for himself and his family,
they would stay the course. They would stick
with the God that had brought them to this time and place!
Be careful in your Christian walk,
not to go along with the culture.
Man did not bring you to where you are,
nor can he get you to heaven.
Let's stay the course with the God who brought us here.
Prayer: Our Father, we first want to thank You
for all You have done in the past.
We also want to thank You for
what You've promised for the future.
Please help us to live for You in the meantime!
P.S. We sing, “You're the only God whose power none can contend.
You're the only God whose name and praise will never end.
You're the only God who's worthy of everything we can give.
You are God and that's just the way it is.
You are God alone from before time began,
You were on Your throne. You are God alone.
And right now, in the good times and bad,
You are on Your throne, You are God alone.
You are God alone! - - Billy J. & Cindy Foote
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