I always thought it was more emotional - more pleading, more tears, more reasoning than it reads.
This decision to follow God, to make Him Lord and Master and to submit to Him everywhere you go...
This decision to entrust Him with your life, your family, your future...
This decision to walk into battle at His call, to stand firm when the resistance is fierce, to trust that victory promised is victory received, even in the face of temporary setbacks...
THIS is the decision you must make.
Fear the LORD and worship Him in sincerity and truth. Get rid of the gods your fathers worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and worship the LORD. But if it doesn't please you to worship the LORD, choose for yourselves today: Which will you worship - the gods your fathers worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living? As for me and my family, we will worship the LORD. - Joshua 24:14-15
What shocks me here is that Joshua just lays it out - either God is God or He's not. Remember what He's done, how He's delivered, where He's led? I AM WHO I AM. There is no confusion about His character, His power, His commandments.
Go ahead - make your choice. Your parents made theirs. Your ancestors made theirs. There are gods in abundance - money, sex, food, power, accolades - but only One God like our God.
Choose today. Make it known. Its either God or a god...and regardless of what you all choose, ME AND MY FAMILY WILL WORSHIP THE LORD.
This crystal clear clarity is where I want to live. This choice is an act of my will, not the product of my feelings or circumstances.
Feelings change.
Circumstances change, oh how I know.
The character of God does not.
I have no safer bet, no stronger contender. I am living in the reality that God is all in all and there is really no other choice to make...I will worship Him - regardless of what you or you or you do. My choice is made.