Deuteronomy 28

Devotional:
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)

This chapter consists of blessings that would come upon Israel for obeying the commands God had given them (28:1-14) but also the curses that would come upon them if they failed to obey them (28:15-68). The curses are much longer than the blessings, and unfortunately, we see Israel experience the promised punishment here. In these curses, though, we see that God’s desire for His people was not to obey out of obligation but with joy, recognizing all that God had provided them by His grace. May these words remind us both of God’s goodness to us in Christ and also the need to obey wholeheartedly – not out of obligation, but love of the God who has already richly blessed us.

Pray it:
Father, help me to remember the punishment that I deserve for my sin and to praise you for sending Jesus to take my punishment. Remind me of your goodness to me each day, and help me to follow with joy and a cheerful heart. Amen.

Share it:
Who is someone you can share a verse or thought from this passage with?