Willisburg Bulletin 9.15.24
DESIRING SERVICE TO GOD
In Deuteronomy 12, the Israelites were being warned about false gods and told to beware. Then in the next chapter, they are told the punishments of apostasy. They were told not to listen to anyone who claims to be a prophet or dreamer, not to listen to anyone in the city they dwell in, and not even to listen to their family if they try to entice you about anything against God’s commands. Instead, they were told to “inquire, search it out, and diligently ask” in verse 14 of chapter 13. These warnings and commands are also after talking about love and how they worship Him out of their love for Him and all He has done for them. They same should be with us. When we remember all He has done for us, we should be more compelled to serve Him. It’s not supposed to be out of merit or habit. When we forget or quit remembering His work, we start priding ourselves and seeking other avenues of pleasures. Maybe this is the issue and how apostasy quickly creeps into our lives. We don’t remember the work of the Lord and we don’t “hide it in our hearts” (Psalm 119:11) Therefore, others lives look more appealing and we begin to fall prey to apostasy’s ways. We forget the pleasure and true happiness Christ brings. It eventually seems boring and a daunting task to study or even pray to Him. We soon seek other thrilling ways and idols set in before we even realize it. If we looked back we might see it, but in the moment we think we’re okay, definitely not participating in apostasy or serving idols. Yet, we dread reading scripture, church is a mere habit, and Kingdom work seems pointless, and giving seems useless. So, maybe we need to remember more of what the Lord has done to serve out of our own want to.
We can see what happens when you forget laws and just being fulfilling his commands because He said it. The Israelites lost their zeal and after just one generation, His commands became mere checkboxes. They were sacrificing out of habit and it was worthless to God. He didn’t accept it. He would’ve rather them not even make sacrifice than to do it half-heartedly as they were. It’s the same with us. The lukewarm church in Revelation was reprimanded for exactly that. We can’t claim to be Christians and be serving Him just because He says to. We need to desire it. If we don’t want to serve Him, why would you? God wants our whole hearts! He is a jealous God and He will accept nothing less.