Scripture Reading: Joshua 22-24

The final stretch of a race is unlike any other. Every muscle burns, the rhythm of breath quickens, and the finish line looms ahead. But it’s not just the physical strain that presses — it’s the weight of every decision that brought you here. The moments of grit. The choice to keep going. The refusal to turn back. As the crowd cheers, one truth becomes clear: how you finish echoes long after the race is done.

Joshua understood this reality. Nearing the end of his days, he gathered the people of Israel for one last charge. His words weren’t wistful reflections or empty farewells. Instead, they were a call to remembrance and resolve — a reminder that the choices they made now would reverberate far beyond their own lifetimes. Would they remain loyal to the God who had never failed them? Would they continue in covenant, standing firm in the relationship that had brought them this far? Or would the allure of other gods and the comfort of complacency turn their hearts away?

Choose Loyalty (Joshua 22)

Loyalty often walks a fragile line, especially when doubt lingers in the air. For the eastern tribes, the journey home was supposed to be a celebration. After faithfully fulfilling their military duties, they crossed the Jordan, hearts full and heads high. But rather than receiving a hero’s welcome, they were met with suspicion.

The altar they built on the riverbank became a flashpoint of misunderstanding. To the western tribes, it appeared as rebellion — a blatant rejection of God’s covenant. Rumors spread swiftly. War loomed. Yet instead of rushing to battle, the Israelites paused. They chose to investigate rather than assume, sending Phinehas and the elders to seek clarity.

That decision reflected the wisdom of patience and discernment. When they met the eastern tribes, the truth came to light. The altar wasn’t an act of defiance. It was a witness — a visible reminder to future generations that they too belonged to the Lord (Joshua 22:24-27). Misunderstanding gave way to understanding. Fear gave way to peace.

But loyalty does not mean unquestioning trust. While we are called to believe the best in others, wisdom requires discernment. Jesus Himself urged His followers to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). It is neither gullibility nor blind allegiance that marks true loyalty, but the courage to seek truth, ask hard questions, and pivot when evidence demands it. The Israelites were ready to act in defense of God’s covenant if rebellion had indeed occurred. Yet once the eastern tribes’ intentions were clear, peace was restored, and the threat of war dissolved.

Loyalty, when anchored in truth, brings lasting peace. Joshua blessed the eastern tribes for their faithfulness, affirming their devotion. And like them, we too experience the assurance of God’s favor when our hearts remain steadfast. Even in moments of doubt and misunderstanding, we can stand firm, knowing that “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,” will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

Embrace Covenant (Joshua 23)

As the sun cast its golden glow over the gathering, Joshua’s voice rang out with urgency. Age had left its mark on his body, yet the fervor in his words revealed the soul of a man who had witnessed the faithfulness of God firsthand. He did not speak as one clinging to power, but as a leader desperate to remind God’s people of what mattered most: the covenant.

It was the thread that bound them to God’s faithfulness, the very foundation of their existence. Every victory, every inheritance, and every moment of peace was a living testimony to the Lord’s unwavering promise. Yet Joshua understood how easily human hearts could drift. The comfort of the Promised Land could lead to complacency, and the allure of foreign gods was ever-present.

Knowing this, Joshua did not mince words. He called the people to remember. “Be very careful to love the Lord your God,” he urged (Joshua 23:11). This love was not a shallow emotion, but a covenantal devotion — one that demanded action. To love God was to obey Him, to cling to His commands as tightly as they had once clung to His promises.

Joshua’s appeal was not without reassurance. Not one of God’s promises had failed (Joshua 23:14). Every step they had taken, every battle won, had been evidence of divine faithfulness. Yet the covenant was not merely a historical truth. It was a present commitment — one that extended to future generations. Just as the leaders before Joshua had passed down their stories of God’s deliverance, so too were these leaders entrusted with the sacred responsibility of passing the covenant on.

So also in our own lives, the call to embrace God’s covenant remains. Every act of obedience declares His faithfulness. Every choice to follow Him shapes the legacy we leave behind. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,” Hebrews reminds us, “for He who promised is faithful” (10:23). Covenant living is not a stagnant tradition, but a dynamic relationship — one we carry with us, generation after generation.

Understand Consequences (Joshua 24)

The shadows stretched long as Joshua stood before the people once more. There was no need for further conquest. No final military orders to be given. Instead, his words bore the weight of choice.

“Choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15).

It was a question not merely of loyalty, but of consequence. Joshua laid their history bare — from the chains of Egypt to the victories of Canaan — reminding them that every triumph had been the work of God’s hand. Yet now, the choice was theirs. Serve the Lord, or turn to idols. One path led to life, the other to ruin.

The people responded with resounding allegiance, vowing their devotion to the Lord. But Joshua pressed them further. Serving God was not to be treated lightly. He warned them that unfaithfulness would bring judgment, just as steadfast obedience would bring blessing.

That same choice stands before us today. The gods of comfort, approval, and self-reliance still beckon. Yet Christ, the mediator of a new covenant, calls us to Himself. His blood, not stones, bears witness to our commitment (Luke 22:20). Every decision to follow Him carries eternal weight. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,” Scripture declares, “but whoever rejects the Son will not see life” (John 3:36).

Joshua’s last words stood as a reminder that every choice matters. And as we stand at our own crossroads, his charge remains — choose this day. The race is not yet over and the finish line approaches. How will we run?

Reflection

Joshua’s voice may have fallen silent, but his words continue to resound. They are not trapped in the ancient stones of Shechem, but echo within every heart that faces the weight of choice. Like the people of Israel, we stand before the God who has been faithful at every turn.

Loyalty, even when misunderstood, remains a steady witness of our commitment. The eastern tribes’ altar testified to their belonging, just as our lives declare who we serve. Covenant living is not about flawless performance but daily surrender — a constant return to the One who remains faithful even when we falter.

We do not walk this path alone! The Spirit of God leads, strengthens, and reminds us of all Christ has done. And as we press on, we do so with confidence, knowing that the One who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6).

Prayer

Lord, as Joshua called Israel to choose, so You call us today. Anchor our hearts in unwavering loyalty. Strengthen our resolve to embrace Your covenant, knowing Your promises never fail. Let every choice we make testify to Your goodness and truth. May our lives reflect Your glory, and may we finish our race well, secure in Your eternal embrace.
In Jesus’ name, 

Amen.

Our Scripture reading schedule for the rest of the week:

Day	Date	Scripture Reading
Sunday	March 30	Judges 1–2

In Christ,

Mrs. O 🤍