February 21

But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.  Joshua 22:5

Joshua 22:5 is known as a "summary verse" for the entire godly life. At the beginning of the chapter, Joshua dismisses the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh to return to their lands east of the Jordan River after being at war for seven years.  Before dismissing them, however, Joshua reminds the tribes of their obedience to what Moses commanded and their devotion to him and their fellow Israelites.  Joshua also points out how they carried out the mission of their Lord God.  

Then Joshua gives a roadmap for how they - and we - should live in verse 5.  Take notice of the order in which Joshua gives this command to the people.  He starts with the challenge for them to know the word and to “be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you.”  The second challenge is to anchor their hearts in God as they “love the Lord your God.”  The third command is one of walking and keeping as they “walk in obedience and keep his commands.” The final command is for the people to cling to/serve God as they “hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and soul.”

How does your spiritual life align to this roadmap Joshua gave the people?  Are you carefully observing the Word, loving the Lord your God, walking in obedience, keeping his commands, holding fast, and serving Him with all your heart and soul?  It begins with the Word finding its way into our hearts.  The Word planted deep in the soil of our hearts changes how we live and interact with and love others.  With our hearts aligned to God’s Word and His laws and commandments, we will desire to seek, love, and serve Him more.  Ask God to soften the soil of your heart so that His Word will grow and produce the fruit that can only come from a loving and gracious heavenly Father.  Surrender your heart - and life - to the One who can change you day by day to become more like His Son.  

Father - I desire to love You more.  To walk in obedience and follow Your commands.  To hold fast to You and love You will all my heart and soul.  But, I can’t do this on my own. I need Your help.  I give You my heart.  I surrender to You.  You alone can do the work in my life to change me and make me more like Jesus.  Thank You for Your Son.  In Your name we pray.  Amen