Joshua 24:15 - And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (NKJV)
Joshua understood the importance of family done God’s way when he made the well known statement recorded in Joshua 24:15. As the head of his home, he established that he and everybody under his influence would be subject to God and God alone. Just like Joshua, it is time for God’s children to bring church back into our homes. In order for us to represent God accurately our service to Him has to be much, much more than lip service.
Authentic Christianity cannot be achieved without integrity as a foundation. That means that how we live and who we are at home should correspond with how we live and who we are in the world. In effect our first base of ministry should be our families. Throughout the Bible there are numerous examples of people who got rid of all other gods and established an altar for the Lord in their homes (Genesis 35:2-3; 2 Samuel 6:11). Inviting God into our homes is a personal choice we have to make for ourselves. Should we choose to make our homes God’s home we have to deliberately get rid of everything that gets priority over Him and establish an altar for Him as the only God of our lives. Putting God at the center of our homes ushers in the blessing of God and holds the beautiful reward of happiness as a family (Psalm 128:6).
In 2 Samuel 6:11-15 we read the account of how Obed-Edom’s household was blessed during the time he gave shelter to the Ark of the Covenant. In the Old Testament the ark of God represented His presence. Wherever the ark rested, God’s blessing soon became evident. The contents of the ark were indicative of the elements found in a home where God’s presence dwells. The first thing contained in the ark was the Ten Commandments. This speaks of the Word of God that gives direction and instruction. Secondly, the ark contained manna, the bread God provided the Israelites with while they had to survive in the desert. This is symbolical of God’s provision in a home where He reigns supreme. Lastly the ark also contained the budding staff of Aaron, a symbol that refers to the reinstatement of Godly leadership.
When these things are present in a home, it becomes a place of refuge, a place where all the family members can safely be transparent and open without fear of being judged. As parents it is our responsibility to not only serve the Lord with all our hearts, but to also do it in such a way that our children continually hear, experience and see the Word of God in action. Determine this week to be real, to love God and people uncompromisingly, to devote all of you to establishing an altar for Him in such a way that you and yours will be able to serve the Lord together. May your home be filled with all the good things God promises as you seek Him and serve Him with all your life (Deuteronomy 6:1-25)!
Part 2 - As For Me And My House
Bert Pretorius
September 20, 2015
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