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. 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.

This new year, I have a vision instead of a resolution. I see me and my family and friends placing down a stake and serving God and God Alone.

In Joshua’s time, though God has given the Israelites victory after victory, a promised land that was fertile, and success at every turn, they turned away from The One True God to other gods. They tried to worship the gods of those around them, the Canaanites, Amorites, etc. along with God. This worship included additional sins of greed, sexual immorality, pride, murder, human sacrifice, etc. So here, as Joshua’s life is drawing to an end, he calls out the sin of his people. He says choose who you will follow, believe in, and serve.

I feel that this is the condition of some of the hearts around me today, as well. They give lip service to God and go to church or do good things. But they are really on the throne of their own lives. They serve themselves and their own priorities. The things on the heart of God to not burden their hearts first and foremost. Instead, they idolize vacations, money, family, careers, power, or beauty and fitness.

Here Joshua places a stake in the spiritual ground of his heart and claims it for “God and God Alone”. He will be wholly committed to him and serve him only.

I am going to do the same thing. I am throwing off any remaining fear, worry, worldly ambitions, and popularity. Today, I put a stake in the ground and commit my heart solely to the Lord in 2026 and forward. And I call on each one of you to do the same.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer [or author] and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭3‬)

Let’s rally and unite around the singularly great purpose of being the body of Christ to a dying world. Let’s speak and act and think and spend our time and resources like Jesus did. And let’s take some serious spiritual ground as we activate!

And let us say: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!”

Lord, swell the ranks of the sold-out spiritual warriors this year! Purify your church and give us courage and strength to stand firm in our faith and not compromise. You are worthy of our absolute and complete surrender and submission. Take my heart and make it like your heart, I pray!