10/23/2026
“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.”
â€â€ -Joshua‬ â€24‬:â€15‬ â€NKJV‬‬
Putting God first means more than attending church on Sunday, praying when we need help, or turning to God when we face difficulties. Putting God first means allowing Him to be the center of everything we do. It means choosing His will over our own desires, trusting His wisdom above our understanding, and honoring Him with our time, resources, relationships, and decisions. In this particular passage of Scripture the challenge is laid out for the people of Israel to make a choice about whom they would serve. Joshua understood that the Israelites could not remain spiritually neutral. They had to decide whether they would follow the gods of the surrounding nations or remain faithful to the one true God. Joshua boldly declared, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” This declaration was more than a statement, it was a commitment. Joshua was making it clear that regardless of what others chose to do, he and his household would remain devoted to God. Today, we face the same challenge. The world offers so much that competes for our attention, affection, and loyalty. The time to make the decision on who or what is taking priority in our lives is now. When God is first in our lives, life gets sweeter and we recognize the impact that His place has, not only in our lives but in the lives of others as well. May God’s place in our lives be evident, may it bring transformation for His honor and His glory.