Seventh-Day Adventist Devotional For Children: “Choose Independently”

*DAILY BREAD – A DEVOTIONAL FOR CHILDREN*

Eastern Nigeria Union Conference Children’s Ministries

*THEME: I WILL GO*

Friday, March 11, 2022

*Topic: CHOOSE INDEPENDENTLY*

” _And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” – Joshua 24:15._

After exhorting the people to fear and serve the Lord, Joshua calls to them to consider the alternative of rejecting Him, and to make a decisive choice. It is well to be brought to a practical decision in full view of all the issues which face us. These may be clearly seen. Truth does not shun the light.

We are free to choose. Joshua is the leader of the people, yet he does not command submission to God, and forcibly compel it. He exhorts, but he leaves the choice open. God has left our wills free to choose or to reject Him.

This liberty is essential to voluntary service – the only service which is true and spiritual. God does not value forced devotion. The worth of devotion depends on its free willingness. Yet the freedom God gives is not release us from duties, but only exemption from compulsion. It’s still our duty to serve God.

We can never come to be God’s children or friends by accident, or by the unconscious influence of a Christian atmosphere. Serving God depends on a decisive action of the will.

Indecision is a fatal error. We may not choose the evil, yet we practically abandon ourselves to it while we refrain from choosing the good. In ordinary life, indecision is a sure cause of failure; so it is in the service of God.

Joshua chooses independently of the popular choice. He is not tied up by the opinion of the majority. Rather he would guide it by example. It is weak to refuse to choose till we see how others will choose. Truth and right are not affected by numbers. Every man must make the great choice for himself.

*SONG*
I will follow Thee, my Savior,
Wheresoe’er my lot may be.
Where thou goest I will follow;
Yes, my Lord, I’ll follow Thee.
*Refrain*
I will follow Thee, my Saviour,
Thou didst shed Thy blood for me;
And though all men should forsake Thee;
By Thy grace I’ll follow Thee.

*PRAYER*
Dear heavenly father, help me to not depend on other peoples choice. May I always be willing to serve you like Joshua of old in Jesus’ name, amen.