Who Do You Serve? A Reflection on Service and Devotion

Behind the central figure, the ghostly forms of Joshua and Moses stand as pillars of wisdom and faith, urging him forward with courage and integrity. T

Introduction

Life continually presents us with choices, some easy, some complex, but perhaps none more significant than the question posed by Joshua centuries ago: “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” In the passage from Joshua 24:15, we are confronted with a challenge that transcends time, culture, and circumstance. The question, “Who do you serve?” is not simply a matter of religious affiliation or routine worship—it is a probing inquiry into the very core of our hearts, values, and priorities.

This reflection weaves together the ancient narrative of Israel, personal testimony, and timeless truths from scripture to explore the meaning and implications of true service—service of the heart to God, whether in faith, country, or daily living.

Joshua’s Challenge: The Call to Decide

Joshua stood before the assembled tribes of Israel, poised on the threshold of a new life in the Promised Land. He spoke plainly, knowing full well the temptations that would surround the people as they settled among nations whose gods and customs were foreign. “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...” (Joshua 24:15). Joshua’s declaration was resolute: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

This ancient crossroads is echoed in every generation and every heart. Service, in its truest sense, is not compelled by force or circumstance, but is a deliberate decision rooted in reverence, loyalty, and love.

A Personal Journey: Service of Country and Spirit

Service often begins with a moment of transformation—a turning point that redefines the direction of one’s life. For me, that moment came on March 3rd, 1968, in the humble setting of Sunday School. It was there that the Lord saved me, planting within me the call to serve the kingdom of God. From that day forward, my life took on a new trajectory, marked by a desire to devote my heart to something greater than myself.

Years later, I found myself answering another call to service, this time as a member of the United States Marine Corps. Joining just before the war in Vietnam ended, I anticipated deployment to the conflict zone, but fate directed my steps elsewhere—to the city of Bucharest, Romania, stationed behind what was then known as the Iron Curtain during the tense era of the Cold War. My assignment was to provide security for diplomats at the American embassy, offering protection not only to those posted there but to any American diplomat entering the country.

In the Marines, it’s often said: “Once a Marine, always a Marine.” This sentiment speaks to the enduring nature of commitment and identity. Every Marine is trained as an infantryman, but the details of our service differ. For some, it’s combat; for others, it’s vigilance and guardianship. Yet, regardless of the context, true service lies in the heart. To this day, I carry the pride and responsibility of that title, for service is not just a duty but an act of the heart.

The Midwives’ Dilemma: Service of Conviction

Scripture offers profound examples of individuals whose service was defined not only by their roles but by the convictions of their hearts. In the book of Exodus, at the time of Moses’ birth, Hebrew midwives were charged with an agonizing command: to kill all male children born to Jewish mothers, sparing only the females. Pharaoh’s edict was a clear perversion of their calling, for the service of a midwife is to bring forth life, not to destroy it.

Yet, the midwives feared God more than the earthly power of Pharaoh. Despite the threat of punishment, they chose to obey the higher law of life and mercy. Their reverence for God compelled them to spare the lives of the Hebrew boys, an act of courageous resistance that preserved the deliverer Moses and changed history.

This account reminds us that genuine service often requires difficult choices. It challenges us to examine the true object of our reverence—a word that implies awe, respect, and holy fear. The midwives could have justified obedience to Pharaoh, but their hearts were in service to God, not to a system that contradicted their purpose.

The Israelites in Egypt: The Dangers of Assimilation

The story of the Hebrews in Egypt is a caution against the subtle dangers of assimilation. Jacob’s descendants, who had come to Egypt as a small tribe, flourished and multiplied under God’s blessing, eventually becoming a substantial nation within a foreign land. However, prosperity brought new challenges. Surrounded by pagan Egyptians who worshipped over two thousand gods, the Israelites began to adapt the customs and beliefs of their environment.

Despite being monotheistic—a people committed to the worship of the one true God—the Israelites were not immune to the allure of cultural acceptance. The Egyptian deities infiltrated virtually every aspect of daily life, from the household to the state. In their distress and oppression, the Israelites cried out to God for deliverance. In answer, God raised up a deliverer—Moses—who would lead them out of bondage and back to the promise of covenant relationship.

The Temptation of Idolatry: From Egypt to Canaan

Even after their miraculous escape from Egypt, the Israelites’ struggle with idolatry continued. The Amorites, whose land they entered, were known for worshiping the moon-god Sin and Amurru, deities whose influence was reflected in the very name of the people. Surrounded once more by pagan beliefs, the Israelites faced the repeated challenge of choosing whom they would serve.

Joshua’s call to the people was clear: to reject the idols of the past and the present, and to serve the LORD alone. The people responded, “God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods” (Joshua 24:16). Yet, as history would show, such resolve was often short-lived.

The Cycle of Faithfulness and Failure

The book of Judges chronicles the recurring cycle of faithfulness and rebellion that marked the next 350 years of Israel’s history. Again and again, the people turned away from God, chasing after the gods of their neighbors. Judges 2:19 records that after each judge died, “they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.”

God, in mercy, responded to their cries for deliverance by raising up judges—leaders like Othniel, Deborah, Samson, and Samuel—who would rescue them from their oppressors. Yet, the pattern repeated itself: rebellion, oppression, repentance, deliverance, and then a return to faithlessness. This cycle is a sobering reminder of the persistent human tendency to drift from devotion, even after experiencing the faithfulness of God.

The Heart of Service: Reverence and Choice

Throughout these stories, a common thread emerges: service is a matter of the heart. It is more than outward conformity or assigned duties; it is an expression of love, loyalty, and fear—reverence—for the one whom we serve. The midwives risked their lives out of reverence for God. The Israelites faltered when they lost their fear of God and yielded to the pressures of surrounding cultures.

In the same way, each of us must confront the question: Who do you serve? Is it God, self, culture, or something else? Our answer shapes not only our actions but the entire course of our lives.

Modern Applications: Service in Everyday Life

The challenge of service is not confined to the pages of ancient scripture or personal testimony of faith and military service. Today, we are confronted with competing loyalties and countless opportunities to choose whom or what we will serve. Whether in our families, workplaces, communities, or places of worship, the call to service is as urgent now as it was in Joshua’s day.

Service is not always dramatic or heroic. It is most often found in daily acts of kindness, integrity, and faithfulness. It is present in the parent who faithfully nurtures their children, the worker who pursues excellence with honesty, the neighbor who extends a helping hand, and the citizen who stands for justice and truth.

Conclusion: Choose This Day

The message echoes across the centuries: “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” The stories of Joshua, the Hebrew midwives, and the Israelites in their journey remind us that service is not merely a role, but a relationship—a commitment of the heart. Service to God, to others, and to noble ideals requires daily renewal and steadfastness.

As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. What about you?

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