Happy Father's Day 2026
Joshua 24:15 is a well-known verse. It says, "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 gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
This verse is more than a decorative plaque in Christian homes. It is a declaration of spiritual leadership from a father and patriarch who had spent his entire life walking with God. Joshua 24:15 is the testimony of an old man looking back on God's faithfulness and calling God's people to make a decisive commitment. Let's do a quick exegesis before I give you some applications.
I. The Context: A Dying Leader's Final Charge
Book of Joshua ends with three farewell speeches by Joshua (Joshua 23-24). He is approximately 110 years old (Josh. 24:29). The conquest of Canaan is essentially complete, and the tribes have settled in their inheritance.
Joshua gathers all Israel at Shechem (24:1). This location is significant:
Abraham first built an altar there (Gen. 12:6-7).
Jacob buried his family's foreign gods there (Gen. 35:2-4).
The covenant blessings and curses were proclaimed nearby at Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal (Josh. 8:30-35).
Shechem was therefore a place of covenant renewal and decision.
Joshua recounts Israel's entire history (24:2-13). Notice that throughout the chapter God repeatedly says:
"I took… I gave… I sent… I brought… I delivered."
The emphasis is on God's grace and faithfulness. Before Joshua asks the people to choose, he reminds them what God has already done.
Application for Fathers:
Spiritual leadership begins not with what you have done for God, but with remembering what God has done for you. The best fathers lead out of gratitude, not guilt.
II. The Crisis: "Choose This Day"
The Hebrew verb for "choose" (בָּחַר, bachar) means to deliberately select or decide.
Joshua is not asking them whether they will worship something (it's not up for a vote). He assumes they will. That assumption comes because he knows his people, he knows his family. Do you?
The question is: Whom will you serve?
The options are:
The gods beyond the Euphrates (Mesopotamian gods of their ancestors)
The gods of the Amorites (the idols of Canaan)
The LORD
Joshua exposes a timeless truth: Every family has a god. The question is whether it is the true God.
Today, fathers may not bow before Baal or Asherah, but modern idols abound:
Success
Money
Sports
Career
Entertainment
Personal comfort
Technology
Whatever captures our ultimate affection becomes our functional god.
Application for Fathers:
Your children are learning from your worship. They know what matters most to you by where you spend your time, money, energy, and conversations.
III. The Commitment: Joshua's Three "T's" for Fathers
1. TRUTH – "We will serve the LORD"
Joshua's declaration is rooted in truth.
The word "LORD" (YHWH) refers to Israel's covenant God—the God who saves, keeps promises, and remains faithful.
Joshua does not say: "We will serve whatever works."
He says: "We will serve the LORD."
He is standing upon theological conviction.
Personal Application
A father cannot lead his family somewhere he has never gone himself. Before Joshua says "my house," he says: "As for me…"
The father's personal relationship with God comes first.
The greatest gift a father can give his children is not wealth, education, or opportunities. It is a genuine walk with God.
Patriarchal Application
Biblically, fathers were spiritual leaders:
Abraham commanded his household (Gen. 18:19).
Job prayed for his children (Job 1:5).
The Passover was led by fathers (Exod. 12).
Joshua understands that truth begins with the man.
A father's convictions often become the spiritual climate of the home.
2. TRANSPARENCY – "As for me…"
Joshua speaks personally.
He does not hide behind:
The elders
The priests
Public opinion
National trends
He says: "As for me…"
This is spiritual transparency.
Joshua openly declares where he stands. Many fathers struggle because their faith is private but not visible.
Joshua's faith was public. His family could see it. Israel could hear it. The nation knew where he stood.
Personal Application
Children need fathers whose faith is observable.
They need to see:
Dad pray.
Dad worship.
Dad repent.
Dad forgive.
Dad depend on God.
Perfect fathers do not exist. Transparent fathers do.
Some of the most powerful words a father can say are:
"I was wrong."
"Please forgive me."
"Let's pray."
"I need God too."
Transparency makes faith believable.
3. TRUST – "My household"
Joshua could not save his family. Only God can change hearts. Amen?!
Yet Joshua trusted God enough to lead his household toward Him. Notice he does not say: "I hope my family serves the Lord."
He confidently declares: "My household will serve the LORD." This is covenant confidence.
Joshua had spent decades watching God part rivers, defeat armies, provide food, and keep promises.
He trusted that the God who led him could also lead his family.
Personal Application
Fathers often carry heavy burdens:
Will my children follow Christ?
Will my family stay faithful?
Have I done enough?
Joshua reminds fathers:
Lead faithfully and trust God with the results. You cannot regenerate your children. You cannot guarantee their choices. But you can point them consistently to Christ and trust God with their hearts. "Consistency" is the key word. You don't follow God because they follow you. No! You follow God whether they follow you or not.
Application
A. Personal: The Father's Choice
"As for me…"
Every father must answer: Who am I serving?
No man can lead spiritually on borrowed faith. Your children need a father who belongs to God.
B. Patriarchal: The Family's Direction
"And my house…"
Joshua understood that fathers set direction.
Dr. James Dobson, a popular Christian psychologist in recent times said, "The home does not drift toward godliness. Fathers must intentionally lead."
A father's example often determines:
The priorities of the home
The values of the family
The spiritual atmosphere of the house
A father may not control every outcome, but he can establish the direction.
C. National: The Community's Influence
Joshua spoke these words before all Israel. One father's decision affects many others. Strong families build strong churches. Strong churches influence communities. Communities shape nations.
The spiritual health of a nation is frequently tied to the spiritual health of its fathers.
Charles Spurgeon wrote, "A father may stand alone culturally, but he can still stand faithfully."
I don't have to invite you to look at what is going on in the Philippine Senate and politics and the plunder of billions of pesos for personal gain. The truth is, the making of the nation is in the character of the man.
Revival often begins in the living room before it reaches the sanctuary and overflows to the community!
Conclusion
Joshua's statement is not merely a family motto.
It is a covenant declaration:
TRUTH: I know whom I serve.
TRANSPARENCY: My family can see whom I serve.
TRUST: I believe God can work through my leadership and in my household.
On this Father's Day, God is not asking fathers to be perfect.
He is asking fathers to stand like Joshua and say:
"As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
A father who lives in Truth, walks in Transparency, and leads in Trust leaves an inheritance far greater than money or possessions—he leaves a legacy of faith that can influence his family, his church, and even his nation for generations.
Altar Call
Fathers let's make a stand. As we come to the time of commitment, I would like to invite you fathers. Not just fathers but the men of this church, the future fathers to make a stand. I know you are not perfect that is why we need to stand before our Heavenly Father. All these boils down to celebrating our Heavenly Father - you come to Him. Come and bring your spouse, bring your children, make your commitment to God - together. As the praise team sings the song, you come as the Lord leads you.
Comments
Post a Comment