Choose This Day

The strongest choices are often made before the pressure comes.

At the end of his life, Joshua gathered the children of Israel and reminded them of everything the Lord had done.

God had delivered them from Egypt.
He had led them through the wilderness.
He had parted waters.
He had brought down walls.
He had protected, corrected, guided, and blessed them.

Then Joshua gave them a choice:

“Choose you this day whom ye will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua knew that the Israelites would be surrounded by other nations, other voices, and other gods. They had been placed in a position where they could be an influence for good, but they could also be influenced by the world around them.

That is still true for you.

You live in a world full of competing voices. Some voices tell you to follow Christ. Others tell you to follow popularity, pleasure, attention, appearance, anger, comparison, or whatever feels good in the moment.

That is why Joshua’s words matter so much:

“Choose you this day.”

Not someday.
Not when life is easier.
Not when temptation is already pulling hard.
Today.

Some of the most important choices you will ever make are best made before the pressure comes. Decide now what kind of person you want to be. Decide now what you will do when you are tempted. Decide now who you want to follow.

President Thomas S. Monson taught:

“The choices we make determine our destiny.”

Choosing Christ does not mean you will never struggle. It means you have already decided where you will turn when you do.

And when you choose Him today, He will help you choose Him again tomorrow.

Reflection

What are some voices or influences competing for your heart right now?

What is one choice you can make today that shows you want to serve the Lord?

Today’s Challenge

Write your own “as for me” statement:

“As for me, I will serve the Lord by…”

Then finish the sentence with one specific choice you will make this week.

Closing Thought

You do not have to wait until temptation comes to decide who you are. You can choose today to stand with Jesus Christ.

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