Bulletin Articles: Full Article for Record Number 994
As For Me And My House
by Larry Ray Hafley
You recall the stirring words of exhortation uttered by Joshua, shortly before his death, "Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Josh. 24:14, 15).
First, note the resolve. Joshua knew whom he would serve! "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve," said the Savior (Mt. 4:10). Paul said, "For I know whom I have believed" (2 Tim. 1:12). Confidence inspires resolution. Resolution inspires confidence. The apostles and prophets knew this truth. We must imbibe of their spirit. Only in that way can we overcome the doubt and discouragement which the devil will cast in our way.
Second, observe that Joshua was determined that his family should be committed to the service of the Lord, too. Not just for himself did he pledge to be faithful, but also for his household. This is much needed in the home today. We need parents who will set the tone of faith for themselves and their children. We need fathers who boldly will say, "we will serve the Lord." Then, we need those same folks to take charge and see that their determination is carried to fruition and completion.
A number of "household" conversions are mentioned in the New Testament-lady Lydia, the Philippian jailer, and Stephanas (Acts 16; 1 Cor. 16:15).
Cornelius is impressive along this line of thought. Though not a Christian, he was a "devout man, and one that feared God with all his house" (Acts 10:2). That speaks of his influence and of his guidance and direction to his family. He sent for Peter to come and preach as the angel of the Lord had bidden him to do, and when Peter arrived, he said, "Now therefore are we all (him and his family) here present before God, to hear the things that are commanded thee of God" (Acts 10:33). His family would not be tending to other matters. They would not be at a ball game that day. No, they were there to hear the preacher. That was not an accident. Like Joshua, it was the result of the spiritual leadership of a man who had decided that he and his family would serve the Lord.
Is this the way it is in our hearts and in our houses?
