“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve , whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the god of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

God had proven himself to Joshua and he wanted to convince the others but it was their choice. They could see God was good and all that he had done but would they serve him?

“It was the Lord our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled.” Joshua 24:17

The people said it themselves. God did it all for us. But would they serve him? They were a stiff necked people.

“Lord the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth— you who keep your covenant of love to those who continue wholeheartedly in your way.” 2 Chronicles 6:14

One thing is true. God does keep his promises. When he says something it can be trusted. It may not be in our time frame, but it’s right on time in his perfect time frame.

“Why has the Lord done such a thing to this land and to this temple? People will answer, because they have forsaken the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping them and serving them-that is why he brought all this disaster on them.” 2 Chronicles 7:22

We bring so much trouble onto ourselves and yet we quickly blame God. God is always good and just. His ways we just can’t fathom because he knows the beginning from the end.

“The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.” 2 Chronicles 15:2

The more you seek him the more he will be revealed to you. I heard someone explain this to me in relation to children. The dad is being chased round and around by the kids, but just before they give up he lets them catch him. Because that kind of love brings so much joy. He just wants them to earnestly seek him. Or have you ever played hide and seek with children. When they count you hide, but not very good, so they will not give up too easily.

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7

God will reward us when we try. He loves us and loves giving us good things. But people who don’t know God think he is a taskmaster. But since they don’t know him, they will never know how much you will do for someone you love who loves you.

“All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly.” 2 Chronicles 15:15

God’s people would come to him and confess their sins, just to go back to sinning again. But every time he forgave them just like he said he would. Giving them a peace that comes from true repentance. It says I really was wrong and I really wish to do right. But as the world gets hard we often slip back into our sins. But God is always ready for us to come back to him no matter how bad we’ve been.

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and now you will be at war.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

God is perfect and he is just. So when we sin we will pay the consequences. If we run back to him though, he is loving, and will take us back. As a parent I can remember grounding my kids for bad behavior but as they show true repentance, I sometimes forgot about my threats and let them slide because I loved them and wanted to see them happy.

“Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15

God is our champion. He loves his own and he will fight for them. We so often let things get to us. Every trial and difficult thing we need to take to God. The sooner the better. It may be that he is using it to strengthen us. But he uses everything for our good and he will be with us through everything. Sometimes God will work out impossible situations that we never imagined in his special ways.

“…men went to carry off their plunder, they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also items of value-more then they could take away. There was so much plunder it took three days to collect it.” 2 Chronicles 20:25

In this instance God sent his angels to thwart their enemies, who turned on each other and annihilated themselves. And because God is a God of abundance he gave them such a great victory. They not only received the spoils of war, but there was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it all.