The day has almost arrived: Election Day. While some of us might be full of anticipation to see what the outcome will be, others seem to be dreading this day. Over the past several months, we have seen the candidates from both sides campaign, argue, and fight tirelessly for the American people’s votes. While past years might not have been as dividing, this election year has proven very differently. There are two distinct sides with two very different views of how this nation should run and function. While this article’s point isn’t about getting into the details of which candidate we should vote for, the question of the hour is one that lots of us might be asking: who do we choose?
In the book of Joshua, we read of the Israelites finally entering and conquering the land of Canaan, the Promised Land given to them by God. However, as they are beginning to inhabit the land, they run into their fair share of problems. The people in the surrounding nations are leading the people away from God and toward the false gods and idols of the land. The Israelites are beginning to intermarry with the foreign peoples, which God expressly commanded them not to do! They are starting down a dangerous path that can lead to disastrous consequences.
As Joshua is giving his final address to Israel (chapters 23-24), he reminds them of what all they have been through and what they are currently doing. He reminds them of the Law of Moses that they were commanded to follow. He tells them of the dangers of allowing foreigners to come in and be a part of their lives. He walks them through their history of God taking them out of Egypt and into the land they are now living in. After this, Joshua gives the people some final words to consider: “If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (24:15).
While the Israelites were being pushed and pulled to one side or the other as to who they were going to follow, there was no changing Joshua’s mind—God was who he was going to serve. When we take a step forward into our own lives in this political season, shouldn’t we have this same determination and confidence in who we will follow? Both sides may be pushing and pulling us to make one decision or another. Still, God has proven Himself to be the highest authority of all. In the end, we all have a choice to make. It’s not a choice of who will lead this country over the next four years—it’s a choice of who we will serve for our lives. We might sit on one side of the political spectrum or the other. We might support one candidate or the other. No matter who gets elected on Tuesday or what will happen to this nation in the coming years, I encourage us all to have the mindset Joshua had. We all must choose for ourselves today whom we will serve: whether Donald Trump or Joe Biden; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.