DAY 20 | Marriage and Family | Jennifer Fenn
I was blessed to grow up in a home where God was always first. My parents didn’t just talk about faith — they lived it. I remember the prayers before meals, the worship music playing while we cleaned the house, and how every big or small decision often began with the words, “You should pray about it.” Those simple rhythms of faith became a foundation that shaped who I am today. Even now, when I talk with my mom, she gently reminds me, “I think you should pray about that before you do it.” Her words echo the legacy of faith that continues to guide me.
Joshua’s declaration in Joshua 24:15 wasn’t made from a place of perfection. He wasn’t claiming a flawless home or a family that never struggled. He was declaring a priority. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” was a commitment — a choice to make God the foundation of their home no matter what the world around them was choosing. Joshua set a spiritual tone for his family: We belong to God, and everything we do begins with Him.
Throughout Scripture, God reminds us that He desires to be more than just a part of our lives — He wants to be the cornerstone everything else is built upon. Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” When God is first, everything else aligns around Him. Our marriages find strength in His love, our families experience peace through His presence, and our homes become places of refuge and purpose.
The world constantly shifts its definition of what a family should be or how priorities should be arranged. But God’s truth never changes. Proverbs 3:5–6 calls us to trust in Him with all our hearts and acknowledge Him in all our ways — and He promises to direct our paths. When we make seeking Him a daily habit through prayer, worship, and obedience, He brings unity, clarity, and peace the world cannot imitate.
Joshua’s declaration challenges each of us to examine what truly holds first place in our homes. Are we allowing busyness, comfort, or culture to set the tone? Or are we building our lives on the unshakable foundation of God’s Word?
Putting God first doesn’t mean our homes will be perfect, but it does mean our priorities will be clear. It looks like praying before making decisions, keeping Christ at the center of conversations, and modeling faith for our children.
So today, make this declaration personal: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua’s declaration in Joshua 24:15 wasn’t made from a place of perfection. He wasn’t claiming a flawless home or a family that never struggled. He was declaring a priority. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” was a commitment — a choice to make God the foundation of their home no matter what the world around them was choosing. Joshua set a spiritual tone for his family: We belong to God, and everything we do begins with Him.
Throughout Scripture, God reminds us that He desires to be more than just a part of our lives — He wants to be the cornerstone everything else is built upon. Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” When God is first, everything else aligns around Him. Our marriages find strength in His love, our families experience peace through His presence, and our homes become places of refuge and purpose.
The world constantly shifts its definition of what a family should be or how priorities should be arranged. But God’s truth never changes. Proverbs 3:5–6 calls us to trust in Him with all our hearts and acknowledge Him in all our ways — and He promises to direct our paths. When we make seeking Him a daily habit through prayer, worship, and obedience, He brings unity, clarity, and peace the world cannot imitate.
Joshua’s declaration challenges each of us to examine what truly holds first place in our homes. Are we allowing busyness, comfort, or culture to set the tone? Or are we building our lives on the unshakable foundation of God’s Word?
Putting God first doesn’t mean our homes will be perfect, but it does mean our priorities will be clear. It looks like praying before making decisions, keeping Christ at the center of conversations, and modeling faith for our children.
So today, make this declaration personal: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Posted in 21 Days of Devos