Deuteronomy 28:64 And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone.
Don’t Be a Restless Slave
This morning in southern Arizona I could smell rain on the desert. It is one of those simple pleasures of life. For me, a warm cup of good coffee in the morning, a nice down vest, or a brisk hike are the simple pleasures of life that are to be enjoyed. It is better to enjoy what you have than to have what you enjoy. Now all these good things are from God, but it’s important to remember that when we don’t serve the Lord with joy, we will be a restless slave to a poor substitute.
In Deuteronomy, Moses was telling the children of Israel that if they would serve God and remember God’s blessings, then they would receive more blessings. If they were to forget God and complain, then there were many curses for them to dread.
Deuteronomy 28:47-48 says, “Because thou servedst the LORD thy God not with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things, therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies.” He goes on to say that they would find no ease, have no rest, live in doubt, and have no assurance. When it would be morning, they would wish it was evening, and when it would be evening, they will wish it was morning. The prospect here is of restlessness, and one of the curses of not serving the Lord with joy is to be a restless slave to a poor substitute.
On the other hand, God promised blessings if Israel would serve Him. Deuteronomy 28 is God’s promise to the children of Israel of His blessings if they would serve Him. While it is good to enjoy our blessings, it is even better to have fellowship with the God Who gives them. There is no rest to those who only enjoy the blessings of this world, but not the Giver of those blessings.One of the chief curses of not serving God joyfully is to be a slave who has no rest, and who is always seeking, but never finding, joy.
Enjoy the blessings God gives, and enjoy the God that gives those blessings.