The Facts of Life

14 “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 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.” - Joshua 24:14-15

Joshua summons the leaders and reminds them of what God has done throughout the history of Israel. He challenges them to serve God instead of the other gods or idols that their forefathers worshiped in Egypt. He gives them a challenge by asking them who is the one they are going to serve? We live in a world where decisions have to be made constantly. We ask all sorts of questions and find answers to help us make the right decision or choice. But the bigger question we need to ask ourselves, as Christians, is how do we approach life and make the right decisions especially in our relationship with God? The Bible has the answers and it provides direction and guidance. 

If your answer is God, then let me offer five basic biblical principles that will guide us in our Christian journey. These five principles are practical and fundamental in our connection and relationship with God. They provide guidance and direction in our lives.

1. The FEAR of the Lord is the foundation of our relationship with God.

12 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good? 14 To the Lord your God belongs the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. 15 Yet the Lord set his affection on your ancestors and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations—as it is today. - Deuteronomy 10:12-15

Although this is a command for the Israelites, the people of God, given to Moses to tell his people, it is appropriate for us to embrace the same command because we have been adopted into God’s family. We acknowledge our sonship or adoption into God’s family because of what Christ has done for us in his death and resurrection. And because of this, we must fear the Lord at all times. The word “fear” is not the kind of fear we are very familiar with that speaks of being afraid or being dreadful. It speaks of being in “awe” or having reverence or deep respect for God’s power and authority. It is filial respect that leads to love and obey God. (See: Psalm 25:14 and Proverbs 28:14)

2. The ACT of Service to God is the response we give for all the things God has done for us.

“Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.” - 1 Samuel 12:24

Because of what God has done for us, we respond in humble adoration and by faithfully serving him. 

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” - Colossians 3:17

3. The CALL to throw away “idols” from our lives is crucial to have a deeper relationship with God.

The Bible says a lot about idols or other gods. We have been commanded as Christians to stay away from worshiping idols. Idols are false and should not take the place of god in our lives. Remember, idols in something or can be anything we put before God. That is why we need not to have anything in our lives that will take the place of God.

3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “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.5 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, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. - Exodus 20:3-6 (See: Psalm 135:15-18 and Jonah 2:8)

4. The TRUTH to choose to serve God is the wisest decision we will ever make in life.

The key to success in our walk with God is once again to fear him and serve him. The Bible is clear of the promises of God on those who choose to serve Him.

“If you will fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well.” - 1 Samuel 12:14

One of the reasons why we struggle in our walk with God is that we never really learned to serve God wholeheartedly. We continue to disobey his voice and rebel against his commands.

In a world filled with so many things competing for our attention, it is very challenging to concentrate on the things of God. But, if we make the decision to serve or follow God, then we become more focused to do whatever we need to do to please God. Choosing to serve ourselves or the material things of this world instead of choosing to serve God will only lead to many disappointments and frustrations. And that is the reason why, choosing to serve God is the wisest decision we will ever make.

5. We need to be STEADFAST in our faith and service to God no matter what is happening around us.

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” - 1 Corinthians 15:58

We are living in a chaotic world. Conflicts, challenges, catastrophes, clashing cultures, and crises are everywhere. One way or another, we all have been affected by these events. Our faith is being shaken and our beliefs in God are being challenged by outside forces or by our own inner discovery of who God is. Often, when we are confronted by challenges, we tend to waver in our service to God. We lose the excitement and the passion. We become apathetic in serving him. So, as Christians, we need to remain steadfast. We need to stay firm-to stand our ground and be unmoved by circumstances. We need to hold on tightly in our faith in God trusting him in every way.

Learning and applying these five elements will certainly help us live life filled with confidence and courage to face life uncertainties. When we continue to trust God with our lives and daily choose to serve him, we’ll definitely find ourselves under the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit.

Devotion by: Pastor D. H. Geronimo

Date added: 06/20/2025

NOTE: All Scripture used are NIV unless otherwise stated.