A Godly Heritage - One Year Devotions for Women

“But if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. . . . But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” - Joshua 24:15

Joshua had made up his mind. Knowing he was responsible to give an account of his life to God, he had decided to serve the Lord. Furthermore, as head of his household, he had set himself the task of leading and influencing his family to do the same.

David said, “I will be careful to live a blameless life . . . in my own home” (Psalm 101:2). The word blameless does not mean that David considered himself sinless; rather, it means that he was determined to be mature. He desired to grow up in God.

I often talk to women who envy the godly heritage of others—a heritage they themselves do not have. They seem to think that those born into Christian homes have had a somewhat unfair advantage. Don’t let other people’s blessings paralyze you. Start a godly heritage. Let it begin with you. Say, as Joshua said, “As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

I’m sure that Joshua’s vibrant faith helped his family to follow his lead. The best possible thing we can do is to be sold out to God—at home. Joshua made loving God with all his heart a daily habit. His life-long obedience set him and his family apart. I’m sure that many people chose the Lord that day—simply because of Joshua’s testimony. Be encouraged to soldier on, even if those nearest to you, even a husband or a child, do not believe.

For Further Study: Joshua 24:1-15

Excerpted from The One Year Devotions for Women, Copyright ©2000 by Jill Briscoe. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

For more from Jill Briscoe, please visit TellingtheTruth.org.

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