Over my lifetime, I have been blessed with many wonderful family members and friends who have been there when I needed them most. These people have known my heart and have chosen to believe the best about me even when others did not. I am also aware that this has not been the experience for everyone reading this devotion. Some know the pain of standing alone. Yet there is a powerful message in both our Old Testament passage and in Christ’s living example about the power of standing alone.
In the book of Joshua, the Israelites had finally entered the Promised Land, but they still needed encouragement to leave behind their old patterns of idolatry. God does not want just a portion of our lives—He desires all of it. He calls us to exclusive devotion to Him. Each day we must choose whom we will serve. We cannot serve both God and the world. We must reject the idols around us and commit our lives fully to the will of God.
Joshua 24:15 (NLT) “But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.”
Our pure and loving Savior, Jesus, experienced a moment when even those closest to Him fell away. Surrounded by friends for much of His ministry, He found Himself in the Garden of Gethsemane facing the cross. In deep anguish He told His disciples, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death” (Matthew 26:38).
Soon an angry crowd approached. In that moment, the disciples who had promised they would never abandon Him fled into the darkness. What did Jesus do?
Even in the midst of overwhelming sorrow, He turned to prayer. He cried out to the Father: “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine” (Matthew 26:39).
Jesus chose obedience. He chose the Father’s will rather than His own comfort.
We also make choices every day. If we are wise, we will follow the example of Joshua and Jesus. We will choose this day to serve the Lord, trusting that His will—no matter how difficult in the moment—always leads to what is ultimately best for our lives.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us with a faithful love that never abandons us. Forgive us for the times we allow the distractions and idols of this world to compete for our hearts. Help us to choose you each day with renewed devotion. Give us the courage to follow your will even when the path is difficult. Like Joshua, may we declare with confidence that we and our households will serve the Lord. And like Jesus, may we surrender our desires to yours, trusting that your plan is always good. In Jesus’ name, Amen.