“If you do not serve the Lord your God with joy and enthusiasm for the abundant benefits you have received, you will serve your enemies…” – Deuteronomy 28:47-48 (NLT)
The Lord has blessed us with many benefits. Opening our eyes to a brand new day is just one of many. On this new day, we have been given opportunities of another chance, renewed faith, and fresh hope. Thank You, Jesus.
Essentially, the benefits from the Lord are very many: peace of mind, material provision, a job, a loving family, health, strength, comfort, safety, and so much more. In return, what does the Lord desire of us? The Lord desires that we serve Him with joy and enthusiasm for the abundant benefits we have received, i.e., He desires that we devote our lives and efforts to Him. Though God desires our service, He doesn’t force us. He allows us to choose. Would you choose to serve Him?
There’s also a caution from the Word of God. If we do not choose to serve the Lord, we will serve our enemies. It’s either the Lord our God or our enemies. There is no middle ground. It’s disturbing to know that we have enemies, but having to serve them is another level of disturbance. You may think you don’t have enemies, but you do. The greatest of them all is satan, lying in wait to deal us unsympathetic blows if he gets the opportunity.
Additionally, if we choose not to serve the Lord, we will be left hungry, thirsty, naked, and lacking in everything (Verse 48). The Lord Himself will put an iron yoke on our necks, oppressing us harshly until we are destroyed. I’m sure none of us wants to experience this kind of destruction.
You may be saying: “My life is complicated right now, and it’s hard to find a reason to serve God. I implore you, notwithstanding all, to make a choice from deep within to serve Him, and since life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21), make these declarations towards life:
I will serve the Lord.
I will serve the Lord with joy.
I will serve the Lord with enthusiasm.
I will serve the Lord because of His abundant benefits.
Repeat as many times as you need for the reactivation of your faith and transformation of your life.
Brethren choose to serve the Lord with joy and enthusiasm because of His benefits and to avoid the horror of disaster and destruction.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your countless benefits. Please help me to serve You with joy and enthusiasm out of a sincere heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read: Joshua 24:14-15; Matthew 6:24
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 87; Romans 6:1-14; Hosea 1; Hosea 2
