“And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof. Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you. When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you” (Joshua 23:14-16). “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” (Joshua 24:15).
Introduction
Every time the clock ticks someone, somewhere makes a choice which will change their lives forever for better or for worse. We make choices on a daily basis, some are more important than others. There are of course some choices we make which will have a bearing on the way we live for the remainder of our natural lives. There are the normal every day choices to be made regarding our finances, our family and for our future. The Bible says the most important choice is a spiritual one and this choice is one that every member of the human race has to make at some time during their earthly life. That choice is what will you do with Jesus what will your answer be? Usually when society makes a choice it results in nothing but misery, and heartache, chaos and uncertainty. But there comes the tick of the clock in your life and mine when God calls us to make the greatest choice in life. That choice decides not only how we live our life down here but for all eternity
In the Scripture passage we read that Joshua put the facts before the Nation of Israel and when he had finished he gave the people a choice to make making it crystal clear it was decision time. You notice that Joshua told the people in plain language of God’s promises and how He had kept them and how He would continue to do so. Let’s have a look at some of the sure and certain Promises God has made for those who have come and made a personal choice of putting their trust in Jesus.
Promise of Peace
(a) He came to bring peace. (Luke 2:14)
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:14)
(b) He gave peace to those who trust Him. (Psalm 29:11)
The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
(c) He will keep you in perfect peace. (Isaiah 26:12)
LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.
(d) Peace only He can give. (John 14:27)
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Promise of Sure Hope.
(a) Jesus our sure and certain hope. (1 Timothy 1:1)
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope.
(b) Jesus the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
(c) Hope of Jesus return for those who put their trust in Him. (Titus
2:13-14)
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
(d) Hope of Resurrection from the dead for the saints. (1 Thessalonians
4:13)
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
Promise of Everlasting life.
(a) In Him is Everlasting joy. (Isaiah 61:7)
For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.
(b) He is the Fullness of Joy. (John 15:11)
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
(c) Heaven is a Place of Joy. (Romans 14:17)
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
(d) Rejoice with Joy Unspeakable. (1Peter 1:18)
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
Promise of Complete Satisfaction.
(a) He will satisfy the Longing Soul. (Psalm 107:9)
For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
(b) Happy is the Man whose God is the Lord. (Psalm 144:15)
Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.
(c) My People shall be Satisfied (Jeremiah 31:14)
Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people,
whose God is the LORD.
Promise of a Sure Future
(a) To be with us always. (Matthew
28:20)
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
(b) Preparing a Place for those who Trust Him Fully. (John 14: 1-3)
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
(c) He will Return and take His Saints to Glory. (1 Thessalonians 4:
13-18)
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
(d) With the Lord which is far better. (Philippians 1:23)
For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
Conclusion
The clock is ticking, who knows for how long? Make your decision to accept our Lord Jesus Christ as the only Saviour from sin today.
Terry Martin.