“YOU CAN’T DO THAT!”

What’s your fleshly knee-jerk response when you are told by someone that you can’t do something?  For most of us, its: “JUST WATCH ME!”

We’ve been giving this response for a long time.  Remember when you were two years old and your mother told you not to touch the open oven door and you did?  Remember when your father said not to touch the TV and you did?  Remember years later when you read the sign in the park, ‘Wet Paint: Don’t Touch’ …………..and you did?!

We don’t like being told what we CAN’T do!

There is a passage in the Old Testament where one of the greatest leaders of all time tells his army of followers: 

"YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SERVE THE LORD, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgression or your sins.   If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you after He has done good to you (Joshua 24:19-20)."

So is this Joshua’s finest hour in reverse psychology or what??  No.  I don’t think so.  I believe Joshua was being honest, genuine and forthright to his followers.  He knew there were those among his congregation who were double-minded, worshiping multiple gods and lip-serving Jehovah God.  He knew they were in trouble with their verbal commitment because they were torn in their heart commitment! 

So, what is the answer?  Listen to what Joshua goes on to say: 

“Now therefore, put away the foreign gods which are in your midst, and incline your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel (Joshua 24:23).” 

WE ARE MADE TO MAKE AN ETERNAL DIFFERENCE for God and for good when the Lord is our ONLY God!

God is good.  Mr. Steve