CONSEQUENCES
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
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 whom the Lord will send against you. You will be left hungry, thirsty, naked, and lacking in everything. The Lord will put an iron yoke on your neck, oppressing you harshly until he has destroyed you.
Deuteronomy 28:47, 48 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
In this chapter Moses is reminding the children of Israel of the blessings of obedience and the consequences of disobedience. The bottom line is that they can choose to serve the Lord and be obedient to His laws or they can be slaves to their enemies. Our obedience to God is our pathway to freedom and blessings. God established laws not to keep us from having fun or enjoying life. God's laws are to show us how to enjoy the best of life. Like traffic lights or rules for driving on the freeway--they are not there to impede our progress but to assist our progress in a safe manner. Years ago Cindy and I got a fish tank that we thought would be enjoyed by our sons. (We soon discovered we were not good at keeping fish.) One day I was looking at the fish tank and thought to myself how ridiculous it would be if one of the fish was to decide to set itself “free” from their confinement in the fish tank. What if they had the power to jump out of the tank and “free” themselves from the tank? Would they be free? It would not take long for the fish to die because it was no longer in the protective environment of the tank. In the same manner, the God Who created us has given us a written manual for life called the Bible. While some people look at the Bible as being restrictive and a bondage, it describes for us the way to live in freedom. This freedom is achieved only when we submit our will to the will of God. When we demand our will over God’s will we are like the fish jumping out of the tank. Our sin nature tries to make us think we are the exception. We can break the law and get away with it. But if we continue to reject God's laws there will be bondage and lack in our lives.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Today I choose to recommit myself to obey the Word of God. Holy Spirit, I ask You to be my Teacher and Guide. Show me the right path to walk. Cleanse me of my sins and empower me to live pleasing to God. Break the chains of sin in my life. I ask this in Jesus’ name and by God's grace.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”