“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
I have probably seen this turned into cross-stitch samplers and various forms of wall art more than any other verse, honestly. After all, it uses the word house. It’s strong, decisive, faithful, and homey. I’m not sure there is a better verse to hang as both reminder and declaration.
“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
You have to choose. Are you going to chase after the world and value the things your neighbors value, or are you going to serve the Lord? We’re going to serve the Lord.
I’m going to raise my children to serve the Lord. I’m going to train them up and teach them the way that they should go. I am going to live out the covenant before them and ensure that they understand their place within it.
“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
This isn’t just a personal declaration. This is an acceptance of responsibility. This is a statement regarding all those who live under his guidance, his authority. It is a statement regarding his children, his grandchildren, and theirs. His house. All who are associated with his name. They will serve the Lord.
This isn’t as simple as kicking out anyone who fails to follow his rules. “As long as you live in my house, you’ll live by my rules!” This is… serving God is a matter of the heart. If you as a parent undertake this sort of commitment, you’re dedicating yourself to the discipleship of your children.
They need to look at you and see God’s love. They need to feel that love. They need to learn from your hand the grace and mercy of the heavenly father, not just his rule book. After all, his rules are pretty simple: Love the Lord your God with all your strength, with all your soul, and with all your mind; and love others.
“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
It’s more than a plaque on the wall, or going to church on Sunday. It’s a covenant.