... But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15b

As I stand in the grocery store checkout line, I'm confronted by numerous magazines and tabloids.

Each of them in big, bold print shouts the story of some celebrity, about whom I'm supposed to have some kind of connection. I have to confess it's hard for me to keep up with the Kardashians, when I don't know who the Kardashians are or what they do.

Hardest of all is remembering who is living with whom, who is engaged, who is married, who is separating, and who has finalized their divorce. It's especially difficult when you really don't know who these people are.

Although I may not know all the ins and outs of Hollywood, there is one thing I am pretty sure of: the relationships and marriages of the rich and famous aren't held together with any better glue than those of us commoners.

Of course, it seldom gets as bad as what was witnessed at a high society wedding in San Francisco. There, all kinds of prominent and influential folks -- the cream of the crop -- crowded into Saints Peter and Paul Church for a really, really big wedding.

Everything went fine until that moment in the ceremony when the dazzling bride was asked, "Do you take this man for your lawfully wedded husband?" There was a long pause ... a pause which ended with a murmured confession: "I don't know. I just can't make up my mind."

The officiating priest waited a moment, then announced to the audience, "The wedding is off."

The reception was cancelled. Many thousands of dollars worth of food was given away. The perfect day was hardly perfect because, when the time came, the bride could not make up her mind. A week later she contacted the church and asked for the wedding to move forward. She said, "I was just nervous. My mind is made up. I do take him as my husband."

If I were that groom, I would proceed with utmost caution.

The truth is we expect a spouse to make and keep their commitment. They have the right to believe we will do the same.

Since that's true in our relationships with each other, how much more should it be true in our loyalty to the Lord. Joshua had it right when he boldly confessed that he and his house would serve the Lord. Indeed, no matter what others might do, he promised his followers would remain faithful. It was a wise and proper commitment.

After all, how can we who have Jesus as our Savior do otherwise? Look at the Redeemer's life, as recorded in the four Gospels. If you do, one thing will become crystal clear: Jesus remained committed to us.

When He was tempted, He declined those devilish suggestions and stayed on course. When He was arrested, He could have freed Himself, but chose instead to move forward with the trials that would end up with His death.

In every circumstance, in every situation, Jesus stayed the course and remained committed to doing everything necessary to gain our salvation. In thanksgiving our faithfulness to Him should be equally sure.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may my household follow Joshua's example and serve the Lord. May the Holy Spirit grant me the grace to live in praise of the Savior, who died and rose for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Isaiah 32-33    Romans 3

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