WHEN WE STOP SERVING GOD
Again the Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight. They served the images of Baal and Ashtoreth, and the gods of Aram, Sidon, Moab, Ammon, and Philistia. They abandoned the Lord and no longer served him at all. 7 So the Lord burned with anger against Israel, and he turned them over to the Philistines and the Ammonites, who began to oppress them that year. For eighteen years they oppressed all the Israelites east of the Jordan River in the land of the Amorites (Judges 10:6-8 NLT)
I have seen people who align their life with God for a period of time and things go well for them, but then they return to their old lifestyles, being enslaved to their old and destructive habits.
There is something in human beings that incline them to do wrong. Let’s observe what would happen to God’s people:
Again the Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight. They served the images of Baal and Ashtoreth, and the gods of Aram, Sidon, Moab, Ammon, and Philistia. They abandoned the Lord and no longer served him at all. So the Lord burned with anger against Israel, and he turned them over to the Philistines and the Ammonites, who began to oppress them that year. For eighteen years they oppressed all the Israelites east of the Jordan River in the land of the Amorites (Judges 10:6-8 NLT))
How many years are we willing to suffer being apart from God?
The problem is that when we stop serving God, we lose our purpose and the only thing that’s left is suffering.
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… (Deuteronomy 28:47-48 NLT)
Solution: Constant obedience brings me constant blessings. (Deuteronomy 28:2-14)
Lord, I choose to serve you for the rest of my days.
My desire is to do your will and fulfill your purpose for my life.
Lord, help me to serve you with a good attitude, happiness, and joy.
Think about it:
Had you served God and then stopped serving Him?
Have you seen the difference in your life from when you served Him and when you didn’t?
Do you still serve God with happiness and joy?
