As For Me And My House

This song is based on Joshua 24:15, which is best read in context, beginning with verse 14. "Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. (15) And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (16) Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods.” 

This passage is preceded by Joshua recounting all God had done for the Israelites until this point of covenant renewal. He recalls for the people that God called Abraham out of his family, who were worshipping other gods, under Terah’s leadership (24:3). Then, God gave Isaac to Abraham in his old age, and to Isaac were born Jacob and Esau. Jacob and his descendants went to Egypt, and God sent Moses and Aaron to free the people and lead them out of Egypt, through the desert, and to the land of Canaan, where this exchange takes place.

Joshua goes on to have a conversation with the people of Israel about their quick response and the weight of the commitment they were making. Joshua knew their rebellious nature. And, he paradoxically predicts in verse 19 that they will not be able to maintain their commitment. Not much has changed regarding the rebellious nature of mankind in the thousands of years since Joshua’s leadership. The desire to chase after worldly things is just as alive and well today as it was then. The choice we have each day, to serve and glorify God in all we do, is no less important today than it was then. 

It is a difficult choice for some. “Choose you this day whom you will serve…” Joshua’s words are a foreshadowing of what Jesus would say roughly 1400 years later. Matthew records His words in 10:38 and again in 16:24, commanding us to “take up your cross.” Following Christ isn’t simply saying we’re not going to idolize anything else. It’s more than saying no to too much of this or that, refusing to hold humans in an “idol” status, not allowing money to become too powerful in our lives, etc. No, Jesus is after our souls. That intangible yet intrinsic piece inside us that desires peace, comfort, safety, and success. 

In an interview with CCM Magazine, Singer/Songwriter Michael Cochren shared, “I look around the world today and it’s never been more obvious that every day we wake up as children of God with a choice between serving the idols of this age and the powers that be or the one true living God. I wanted this song to be a rallying cry for the believer to stand firm in their faith and to be a witness and a light to those around them.”

Kristyn Getty, a co-writer of the song, also shared in the same article, “The back-to-school season always stirs up a mix of emotions. There’s the excitement of new beginnings and the relief of routine. But we also recognize the challenges our children face as they develop friendships, learn new things, and understand the Christian faith in tricky, sometimes hostile contexts.”

As we sing this song together as a church, the Bride of Christ, let us choose wisely with the strength of the Holy Spirit in our lives, to serve the Lord with our heart, with our strength, and with our mind. What can be found in Jesus cannot be found anywhere else. For He gives us this promise, in Matthew 11:28-29, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  

“Oh choose you this day whom you will serve
The kingdom of heaven or the powers of earth
Has He not spoken have you not heard
There is but one true God”