Joshua 23:14,15
“Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed; they all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed. But it will come about that just as all the good words which the LORD your God spoke to you have come upon you, so the LORD will bring upon you all the warnings, until He has eliminated you from this good land which the LORD your God has given you.”
Joshua is acknowledging that he’s going to die today. A percentage of people know that. It’s often a surprise. A friend of mine died last year. He was in his mid 50’s and very healthy in most of our minds. It was a surprise heart attack while driving. The mourning was great.
Joshua knows it’s his last day. He is speaking to the people he has led. His charges. He is giving his most important advice. He’s telling them that God has been faithful to them and will continue to be so. He is encouraging them to stay with God. He has been Their shepherd, stick with Him.
He is also telling them their end if they forsake God. The warnings have been given before. Judgment and punishment await.
That’s true for us all. We are to stay with Him. If so, blessings will be abundant. However, if we forsake Him, then difficult times will result.
I do think things are different for the child of God. If he falls away, he’s a prodigal. God will continue to draw him back. He won’t let him go too far. He would take his life before damnation. This is because he has been born again. That cannot be undone.
If someone hasn’t accepted Christ, then Joshua’s words have an exact application. Go with God and be redeemed and blessed, forsake Him and all the punishment described will be the result.
Lord, thank You that You have redeemed me. I had some bad paths in front of me. You rescued me. I had much lack, You have filled that. You have done much more than that. You have blessed and promoted. You’ve turned a sinner into a son. All of Your children belong. Thank You, Lord.