Joshua 23-24

13 I gave you land you had not worked on, and I gave you towns you did not build—the towns where you are now living. I gave you vineyards and olive groves for food, though you did not plant them.

14 “So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. 15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

After taking the promised land and dividing its portions for each tribe, Joshua gathers the Israelites together and reminds them of all God has done. From freeing them from slavery in Egypt to being protected through the desert and most recently in driving out the evil nations before them. He concludes by pointing out the abundance of God’s blessings, how they are living in homes they did not build and are eating the fruit of vines they did not plant. And because of all God has done Joshua exhorts the people to serve God and obey His commands.

• What blessings are you enjoying that you are the fruit of someone else’s labor?
• What are some good fruits that you are benefiting from that others aren’t?
• What do you do most, praise God for undeserved blessings or complain to God for the ongoing trials?

King of the universe, thank you for all your abundant blessings! Help me to remember and count every one. I choose once again to serve you only and ask for you to empower me to follow your ways all the days of my life.