Joshua 23-24 Joshua is 110 years old.  He calls together the elders of Israel, the judges, and the officials.  He reminds them of all that God had done and how He had fought for them and fulfilled His promises.  Now, Joshua exhorts them to remain faithful and committed to serving the Lord their God.  Listen to some of the words he uses:

" Be very firm, then, to keep and do all that is written in the book of law..."  ( 23:6)
" But you are to cling to the Lord your God,..." ( v8)
" So take diligent heed to yourselves to love the Lord your God." ( v11)
" Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; ... serve the Lord" ( 24:14)
"... choose for yourselves today whom you will serve.." ( v14-15)

Joshua, like Moses before him, saw the people's weaknesses.. the idols that were still hidden among them, the temptations that were all around them.  He warned them of the snares and traps all around them, the false gods of the nations that God had removed from the land.  Joshua reminded them that the Lord " is a Holy God; He will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you forsake the Lord  and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you after He has done good to you." ( v19-20)

The people affirm that the will " serve the Lord".  They take an oath and become witnesses to their pledge to serve the Lord and obey His voice.  Joshua considered this a "covenant".   He instructs Israel to " incline your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel." ( v23)

Joshua dies and is buried.  Eleazar the son of Aaron also dies.  A new generation is now inhabiting the promised land of their fathers.  But, no successor is named, no leader appointed.

It is wise to stop often and take an inventory of ourselves.  To examine our own hearts and lives and see how we are doing in our journey with our Lord.  This passage leads us to that kind of spiritual inventory - how are you doing?

Are you firmly keeping the Words of the Lord Jesus?
Are you clinging to Him every day and every hour?
Are you diligently taking heed of yourself to love the Lord your God?
Do you fear Him and serve Him with sincerity and truth?

Choose again, confirm your commitment to serve the Lord and Him only!
Incline your heart to the Lord our God and Maker and to Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 

Father in heaven, Holy and Blessed are You.  You alone are worthy of our praise and worship, of our devotion and commitment.  We need You and desire to serve You alone.  You are the Lord our God and we will serve You. We commit ourselves to keep Your Word, to cling to You each day, to love You with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength, and to fear and serve You with sincerity and truth.  With Joshua, we say, " .. but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."  We choose You! Today and every day.. O Lord lead us and help us to make that confession with sincere and true hearts.  We ask this in the Name of Jesus, our blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.