But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
Joshua 22:5 NIV
This came at the end of Israel’s initial conquest of Canaan. Before crossing the Jordan, two and a half of the tribes had been promised land on the east side of the Jordan River. But first, they had to help in the conquest of the west side. They faithfully did that and were preparing to return to their homes when Joshua gave them this charge. To love the Lord their God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him, and to serve him with all of their heart and soul.
This charge is not just applicable to these two-and-a-half tribes. What Joshua told them should be our marching orders as believers as well. It echoes the words of the greatest commandment. To love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Deut. 6:5; Mark 12:30). As believers, more is expected of us than simply calling ourselves Christians, attending a worship service once a week, and putting some money into an offering plate. Our appropriate response to what Jesus has done for us is to give ourselves fully to him. To love, obey, and faithfully serve him as our Lord.
