The problems that surround people at present make them dwell upon the present and obsess them with fear of the future, making them forget the providence that they received and enjoyed in the past. This can happen to an individual as well as a community in their journey of faith, even when they are given warning that they adhere to faith, by the God who chose them as His own people on certain conditions: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Ex 20:2-6) Joshua, the leader and commander of Israel, recapitulated this and challenged the people by declaring his faith in God who lead them so far: “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Josh 24:15) May we declare our choice of faith, dedicate our household to His service, and surrender unto His protection.

Abba, Thank You for accepting our declaration of faith and the dedication of our household. Let Your Spirit make us stay faithful to the choice of faith and commitment all the days of our lives, In Jesus’ Most Faithful Name, Amen.