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Knock on our front door and you’ll find yourself
staring at a plaque containing the following quote
of Joshua (of wall falling fame): “AS FOR ME AND
MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD,” an appropriate
goal for any father at any time, but an especially
fitting one to ponder on Father’s Day.
Who was this committed father
whose words expressing his family goal remain
familiar to millions after all these years?
Joshua had lived an exciting
and sometimes dangerous life. He had worked as a
spy, served as top assistant to Moses, became the
leader of his nation after the death of Moses (who
had hand picked him as the next Commander in
Chief), was an extremely successful military
leader and a possessor of such strong faith that
even the walls of mighty Jericho fell before him
as he obediently followed the strange orders
issued to him from Headquarters. But his greatest
goal in life was the acceptance of his faith by
his family so they could serve the Lord together.
We don’t know how many
children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren
made up Joshua’s descendents. His life spanned
one hundred ten years so it’s likely his
conviction that his entire family would serve the
Lord encompassed a large number of people, but his
faith was up to the occasion so he included them
all in his now famous declaration
Does this mean that Joshua’s
entire family immediately embraced his faith,
never rebelled and always walked with God?
Probably not! Human nature
and God’s respect for our individuality prevent
cookie-cutter conversion experiences.
Nevertheless, complete family commitment was his
goal and he expected his prayer to ultimately be
answered so he declared his confidence it would
happen in concise terms that have endured the test
of time.
Joshua’s powerful position
may have been an obstacle to members of his family
following his advice or desiring his reputation as
a man who walked with God. Barriers to his
direction by his children may have seemed higher
and more difficult to scale than the walls of
Jericho, but those solid walls had been broken
down by faith so why not these emotional ones?
Some of Joshua’s family may
have been wayward as year 110 approached and this
determined conqueror on his deathbed may have said
through gritted teeth: “We will serve the Lord,”
even if it meant some would come to faith and be
involved in the service of God after he was gone.
Mothers have gained the
respect of the world for their powerful praying.
Most can name mothers whose prayers have made a
difference: Susannah Wesley, the mother of John
and Charles Wesley; the mother of John Newton
whose son went from being a slave trader to a
minister of the gospel and wrote “Amazing Grace,”
and others.
But Fathers pray too. And we
ought to honor them for their faith and
faithfulness.
Jesus told His hearers about
the prodigal son whose journey to the far country
moved his father to pray for and expect his
return.
This would be a good day to
tell your father how much you appreciate him.
And, if you’re a prodigal,
it’s time to answer your father’s prayers by
respecting his faith and heading home. |
