Choose This Day: Joshua’s Farewell & John the Baptist’s Humility (Day 123)

Who will you serve? Today we conclude the Book of Joshua with a dramatic covenant renewal at Shechem. Joshua, now an old man, stands before all Israel and challenges them to decide once and for all: will they serve the gods of their ancestors, or the Lord who brought them into the land? In the Gospel of John, we see a parallel heart of devotion in John the Baptist. As Jesus’ ministry grows, John’s disciples show signs of jealousy, but John responds with the ultimate posture of a servant: "He must increase, but I must decrease."Today’s Scripture:📖 Joshua 23–24 – Joshua delivers his final two speeches. He reminds the leaders of God’s faithfulness and warns against intermarrying with the remnant of the Canaanites. In Chapter 24, he recounts Israel's history from Abraham to the present, prompting the famous declaration: "But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." The book ends with the death and burial of Joshua, Eleazar, and the bones of Joseph.📖 John 3:22–36 – A dispute arises over purification, leading John the Baptist to explain his role as the "friend of the bridegroom." He testifies that Jesus is the one who comes from above and that whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.📖 Psalm 55:12–23 – David continues his prayer amidst betrayal, ultimately deciding to "cast your burden on the Lord." He trusts that while men of blood and treachery will not live out half their days, he will trust in God.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF 📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/ 🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT 📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected] 🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support 📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGAL The Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software. Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords: bible in a year, daily bible reading, Joshua 23, Joshua 24, John 3, Psalm 55, As for me and my house, Covenant at Shechem, He must increase, John the Baptist's testimony, Joshua's farewell, cast your burden on the Lord, daily devotional, audio bible.