If you’re reading this as a believer, it is not a secret that we are living in a wicked and perverse generation. The days we are living in are full of pressure from the media, “politicians,” and others around us to conform to the world, to become tolerant of sin, and to be politically correct.
As this pressure is intense and greater than we may have expected it to become in our lifetimes, you and I must make a choice to say, “But as for me, I will serve the Lord. I will live for Jesus and submit myself to Him.”
Joshua had to make this decision for him and his household. Living in an evil day filled with idolatrous worship, Joshua made it clear that he and his house would be serving the Lord (Joshua 24:15). David made the decision to come into God’s house in the multitude of His mercies and fear God (Psalm 5:7), to walk in integrity (Psalm 26:11), to humble his soul by fasting and remaining in prayer for his enemies (Psalm 35:13), and prayed to God alone (Psalm 69:13). I believe it is safe to say that Joshua and David lived in wicked, perverse generations, as well, but they refused to conform to the world around them and renewed their minds through time spent with their Heavenly Father, who is the King of all kings (Romans 12:2).
In all of the verses included above, each began with the phrase “But as for me.” Enduring Word commentator David Guzik says that Joshua’s using of the word “but’ gives the sense that Joshua was determined on this course no matter what anyone else thought. His relationship with God was not based on any man, but on the LORD alone, and he would serve God no matter what anyone else did.” In Psalm 5:4-8 David contrasts the wicked and the godly, and in verse 7 he says, “But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.” David said that irregardless of the wickedness that was around him, he would stand in the mercy of God and have a reverential fear of Him who is the one true God. In Psalm 26:11 David says, “But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.” Irregardless of the danger he was in and the wickedness that surrounded him, David was going to walk in his integrity, in light of God’s redemption and mercy extended toward him. In Psalm 35:13 David says, “But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.” When David’s enemies were sick, he prayed for them as though they were his closest brother; what a radical thing to do. In Psalm 69:13 David said, “But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Lord, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.” David, who lived with men constantly hating him, turned to God, made his prayer known to Him, and knew that God was the only one who could sustain him.
Viewed by the world as radical outsiders, Joshua and David both made a choice to say “But as for me…” These men went against the grain and made it clear whom they chose to serve. If you and I haven’t already, I think it’s time to make a choice this day whom we will serve. It is time to say, “But as for me, I will serve the Lord and Him alone, no matter what anyone else thinks. Irregardless of the wickedness around me, I will stand in the mercy God has extended to me and fear Him alone, I will walk in integrity because God has redeemed me, I will pray for my enemies, and I will always turn to God, for He is my sustainer.”
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