Have you ever made a promise you couldn’t keep? Maybe you committed to a new exercise routine, promised your spouse you’d be more patient, or declared you’d read your Bible every day. We’ve all been there—making commitments with the best intentions, only to find ourselves falling short weeks or months later.
This struggle isn’t new. In fact, it’s as old as humanity itself. The story of Joshua and the Israelites in Joshua 24 reveals a timeless truth about the gap between our words and our actions, and why true commitment to God requires much more than verbal agreement.
The Challenge of Real Commitment
When Joshua gathered the leaders of Israel at Shechem, he wasn’t just asking for a casual “yes” to following God. He was calling for something deeper—a life-changing commitment that would require intentional action and sacrifice.
More Than Just Words
Joshua’s famous declaration, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” wasn’t just a feel-good statement for ancient refrigerator magnets. It was a bold line drawn in the sand, demanding a choice between two paths: wholehearted devotion to God or commitment to something else entirely.
The problem? The Israelites responded exactly as we might expect—and exactly as we often do today. They quickly agreed: “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods!” But Joshua’s response was surprising and convicting: “You are not able to serve the Lord.”
Why would Joshua doubt their sincerity? Because he knew them. He had watched them carry idols in their tents while claiming to follow the God who had led them through the wilderness with pillars of cloud and fire. Sound familiar?
The Modern Struggle: Church Life vs. Real Life
How many of us live with this same disconnect today? We love Jesus on Sunday mornings, sing worship songs with genuine emotion, and make commitments during altar calls. But then Monday comes, and our lives look remarkably similar to those who’ve never stepped foot in a church.
This isn’t about perfection—it’s about integrity. It’s about the gap between our stated beliefs and our lived reality.
Common Areas of Disconnect
- Grace and Mercy: We say we want to be gracious, but people around us wonder if we even know what grace looks like.
- Generosity: We claim to follow Jesus, who gave everything, yet we remain closed-fisted with our resources.
- Character: We’re baptized and call ourselves Christians, but we’re doing the same things we did before our supposed transformation.
- Relationships: We speak of love and forgiveness, but our marriages, friendships, and family relationships tell a different story.
Why Commitment Doesn’t “Just Happen”
Here’s a crucial truth: A courageous life doesn’t just happen. It’s intentional.
Think about marriage. Standing at an altar and saying vows doesn’t automatically make a great marriage. It takes daily work, effort, and intentional choices. The same is true with our relationship with God.
We often approach faith like we’re hoping it will magically transform us without any effort on our part. We make verbal commitments and then wait for some mystical spiritual osmosis to occur. But just as you don’t accidentally become a great spouse or parent, you don’t accidentally develop a deep, committed relationship with Jesus.
The Intentionality Factor
Joshua understood this principle. That’s why he pressed the Israelites beyond their initial enthusiastic response. He knew that without intentional action—specifically removing the idols from their tents—their commitment would remain hollow.
Identifying Your Modern Idols
Joshua’s call to “throw away the foreign gods that are among you” wasn’t metaphorical. There were literal idols in their tents that needed to be physically removed. While we may not have golden calves in our homes, we absolutely have modern equivalents that pull our devotion away from God.
What Are Your Idols?
Consider these questions honestly:
- What captures your attention when you’re alone?
- What do you turn to for comfort instead of God?
- Where do you invest your time, energy, and resources?
- What would be hardest for you to give up if God asked?
- What areas of your life have you never fully surrendered to God?
Your idols might be:
- Career ambition that comes before everything else
- Entertainment that consumes more time than prayer and scripture
- Relationships that lead you away from God
- Financial security that you trust more than God’s provision
- Social media that feeds your ego or comparison
- Habits that you know don’t honor God but you can’t seem to quit
The Witness Against Ourselves
Joshua made the Israelites declare themselves as “witnesses against yourselves.” This wasn’t meant to condemn them, but to create accountability. Your life becomes the evidence of whether your commitment to God is real or just lip service.
Creating Your Own Accountability
How can you create this kind of witness in your own life?
- Regular Self-Examination: Schedule time to honestly assess whether your life matches your stated beliefs.
- Community Accountability: Invite trusted friends to speak into your life about areas where you’re not living up to your commitments.
- Visible Reminders: Like Joshua’s stone monument, create tangible reminders of your commitment to God.
- Family Commitment: Include your household in your commitment, making it a family decision rather than just a personal one.
Taking the Next Step
Joshua didn’t let the people leave with just good intentions. He set up a stone as a permanent reminder of their commitment. The stone would serve as both a celebration of God’s faithness and a witness to their promise to serve Him alone.
Your Ebenezer Moment
What can serve as your “stone of remembrance”? It might be:
- A family declaration posted somewhere visible in your home
- A regular date to recommit and evaluate your spiritual journey
- Joining a small group for ongoing accountability
- Taking a specific step you’ve been avoiding, like baptism or serving
- Making a lifestyle change that aligns your actions with your beliefs
The Grace to Begin Again
Here’s the beautiful truth: Even when you stumble (and you will), God’s grace meets you there. The point isn’t perfection—it’s genuine commitment and the willingness to get back up when you fall.
Joshua’s stone wasn’t just a reminder of their commitment; it was also a testimony to God’s faithfulness. When they failed, they could return to that place and remember both their promise and God’s enduring love.
Making It Real Today
So what’s your next step? What idol needs to be removed from your tent? What area of your life needs to align with your stated commitment to follow Christ?
Maybe it’s time to:
- Have an honest conversation with your family about truly serving the Lord together
- Remove something from your life that’s competing with God for your devotion
- Take a step of obedience you’ve been avoiding
- Seek forgiveness and make things right in a relationship
- Begin spiritual disciplines you’ve been neglecting
The Choice Still Stands
Joshua’s challenge echoes through the centuries to us today: “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” The middle road—claiming to follow God while serving other masters—belongs to the enemy.
Your life will serve as a witness to your choice. The question is: What will that witness say?
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. The question for you is simple but profound: How about you?
True commitment to God isn’t just about saying the right words—it’s about allowing those words to transform every aspect of your life. It’s about removing the idols, making the hard choices, and living with integrity between what you believe and how you behave.
The stone has been set. The choice is yours. What will you choose today?
We always welcome new friends to worship with us. Find a location that’s close to you!
You can learn more about our beliefs and visit our video library to explore more topics like this one. You can also check out our events page to find out what fun new things we’re doing this season.
