I’ve made it my mission to make Jesus famous with my life. And I’ve never had a better life.
When most people think of making a decision to serve God, it’s all, “Oh no. They’ve found religion. They’re a Christian now. They’ve left everything.”
But I don’t serve a God Who takes me down in life. I serve a God Who takes me up.
He raises the poor from the dust
And lifts the beggar from the ash heap,
To set them among princes
And make them inherit the throne of glory.
(1 Samuel 2:8)
But the path of the righteous shines bright and brighter …
(Proverbs 4:18)
The God I serve is not Someone Whose will for me is to meander through life and one day it’ll all be worth it in Heaven.
No, the God I serve has made an incredible covenant with me I don’t deserve.
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
(John 10:10)
In case you’re hesitant to live your life fully sold-out to God—or even make a first-time commitment to Him—let me assure you, serving God is the greatest thing you can do with your life.
What the Bible says about serving God
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
(Psalm 1:1-3)
It shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God … that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God:
“Blessed shall you be:
in the city … in the country… the fruit of your body … when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.
“The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.
“The Lord will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
… Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they shall be afraid of you. And the Lord will … bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them.
(Deuteronomy 28:1-14 paraphrased)
As you can see, God takes obedience to Him and His Word very seriously.
When you make it a decision to obey the Lord, it’s not succumbing to a life of failure. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6)!
Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
(Psalm 103:1-5)
“Forget not all His benefits.” It doesn’t cost to serve God, it pays. There are benefits!
I’m in the world, but I’m not of this world (John 17:16). I’ve been redeemed into an enviable destiny.
My life is attractive to people who aren’t Christians. People of all different religions—even atheists, Muslims, and those trapped in sexual sin—have all reached out to be friends with me because my life looks visibly different than theirs and they want that.
People shouldn’t look at your life and go, “Wow. Isn’t that a shame. They’re a Christian now.”
Then all the nations of the world will see that you are a people claimed by the Lord, and they will stand in awe of you.
(Deuteronomy 28:10)
Not stand in pity of you. Stand in awe of you. It’s a good thing to serve the Lord!
The next few paragraphs are from my post Finding Your God-given Purpose:
“Why does everyone think if you serve Jesus, life will be hard and boring? Actually, if you serve the devil, life is going to be hard.
Jesus said, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? … isn’t it hard for you to kick against the pricks?’ (Acts 9:4-5) And Proverbs 13:15 says ‘The way of transgressors is hard.’
It’s not hard to serve the Lord. It’s hard NOT to serve the Lord.
Without Jesus, your life is going to be pretty miserable… and so will your eternity!”
Serving God is the greatest decision I’ve ever made for my life.
You think being a Christian is hard?
Where did people get the “Christian life is hard but worth it” mentality?
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
(2 Corinthians 2:9)
If it’s hard for you, you’re doing it in your own strength. God’s grace is sufficient for all you need. ^
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
(Isaiah 41:10)
He is here to help you with whatever you are facing!
Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
(Joshua 1:8)
I’m having the time of my life being a Christian, let me tell you.
In the words of Evangelist Jonathan Shuttlesworth, you think being a Christian is hard? Try being a heroine addict.
We had a man doing work at our house once who knew God was real, but he just didn’t want to let go of his sin. He was an unhappy guy, on drugs, struggling to earn enough money to feed his children.
That’s what sin does to people.
It’s not just eternity in hell. Satan is obsessed with stealing, killing, and destroying. John 10:10. He has a sick fascination with destruction of all who are created in God’s image.
And because I’m a Christian, I’ve said goodbye to sin. That life is not for me!
Is suffering and persecution a real part of the Christian life? You bet.
Our family runs a missions network in countries where preaching the Gospel is forbidden. We have people on the ground right now preaching where it’s punishable by death. I won’t tell you the horrific persecution stories.
If you think I’m saying you’ll never have a trial in life, you’ve missed it. Go read my last post. Jesus promised us we’d have trials.
Yes, suffering is real. But sinners suffer a whole lot more!
And God gives us His AMAZING GRACE to endure and OVERCOME any hard knock life throws at you.
He promises us victory! We’re not even conquerors. We’re MORE than conquerors (Romans 8:37).
I’m studying the book of Job in depth right now. Most people hold him up as an example to go by whenever they’re facing something hard.
“It’s just the Christian life. God puts us through things to make us better.”
Yeah, no. You go focus on Job’s few months of hell on earth if you want. His trial lasted some seven months; some say a maximum of 19.
But I don’t see a defeated life with Job. Not only did God restore to him everything he lost in his trial, but He gave him twice as much as he had before.
He finished out the next 140 years after that a testimony of God’s goodness:
Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
(James 5:11)
Job said “God giveth, and God taketh away”, and most Christians take that verse and run away with it. Read the whole book of Job. Job and his friends got rebuked for the things they said. Job repented and admitted he had no idea what he was talking about.
When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before! …
So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning. …
Job lived 140 years after that, living to see four generations of his children and grandchildren. Then he died, an old man who had lived a long, full life.
(Job 42:10, 12, 16-17)
That’s the kind of God I serve!
He gives us the grace and power not to just roll with the punches of life, but punch back twice as hard.
God is not glorified in the suffering of His children, but in their blessing.
I serve a GREAT, GREAT King.
Trouble chases sinners
But there’s no grace on the life of a sinner.
Trouble chases sinners, while blessings reward the righteous.
(Proverbs 13:21)
Glad I’m not a sinner!
Again, if you think being a Christian is hard, try being a heroine addict.
There once was an athlete who blew through $169 million in nine years by paying child support for ten children to nine different women.
Sin doesn’t pay, it costs!
For the wages of sin is death.
(Romans 6:23)
… they [those who delight in the law of the Lord] prosper in all they do.
But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly.
For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
(Psalm 1:3-6)
One in six Americans take antidepressants. People are depressed. People are hurting. They are broken.
People without Jesus are on a slow descent to hell. They turn to relationships, drugs, alcohol, pornography, homosexuality, attempt to change their genders, and all kinds of sin to try to fill something only Jesus can fill.
It must be scary as heck to be a sinner. You think living a Christian life is hard? Try going against the God Who created everything! Your life will suck!
If my word and experience is worth anything to you…
I don’t meander through life hoping God is glorified in my suffering and one day it’ll all be worth it in eternity.
That’s not abundant life. That doesn’t cause people to want to serve my God too.
I live an AMAZING life. Through the covenant I have with God, I’m seeing miracles happen in my body!
I have the time of my life serving God with the gifts He’s given me. See more about this subject below:
- Will What You’re Doing Count for Eternity?
- 10 Ways to Kick the Devil’s Butt in Your Everyday Life – #2
- 17 Epic Strategies for Preaching the Gospel (see heading #14)
Every day with God is an adventure that blows anything the world has to offer out of the water.
I sleep in peace. I’m blessed. I don’t worry where my next meal will come from. I don’t worry if the police will find out about my crimes. (This is an example. I haven’t committed any crimes… felt the need to clarify that. ?)
I don’t live in fear. I don’t live in sickness. I don’t live in depression, defeat, addiction, bondage, or anything the devil has for those in his grasp.
I SERVE GOD, and that’s the blessing that comes with serving Him. I live in the benefits of Psalm 103. That makes people look at my life and go, “wow, I want the God she has.”
That’s how God wants us to live.
Conclusion
It doesn’t suck to serve God. It sucks NOT to serve God!
Anyone who tells you the Christian life is “hard but worth it” is not living the abundant life Jesus came to give them.
God said if you serve Him, He will bless you.
Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
(Joshua 1:8)
How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands.
(Psalm 112:1)
How joyful. Not how depressed, how frustrated, how suffering, how pitiful. How joyful are those who fear the Lord!
There are promises and benefits for those who serve God.
Not because we deserve them, but because He’s good!
That’s the kind of God I’ve given my life to. That’s the kind of God I serve.
If you don’t serve God, let me encourage you: give Him your life today.
Get rid of sin before sin gets rid of you. Start enjoying not only the eternal assurance of salvation, but the abundant life Jesus came to give you—in this current life.
There’s no reason to wait. He loves you. He wants you. Make a decision today.
How do you feel about serving God?
‘I haven’t committed any crimes’ R U SURE. I seem to remember someone avoiding the police. ??
Most crazily, ~Olive
Dude, I locked eyes with a sheriff yesterday while I was wearing my seatbelt obviously the wrong way. I almost had a heart attack. Thankfully we made it home pretty quickly. They’re onto me
How do you wear your seatbelt the wrong way ?
I tuck the part that’s supposed to go across your chest behind my back instead ’cause I like to lean out the window
??? Can’t you lean out the window with it on normal? I do. (Don’t forget to write today!)
But then it digs into my neck and ain’t nobody wanna deal with that. I have no idea why; maybe I’m not tall enough? Does your seatbelt ever dig into your neck annoyingly? Maybe it’s just my sad fate. (AHH YOU’RE RIGHT… thanks for the reminder… can I eat food first?)
Well dealing with a little discomfort is better than getting a ticket. And you may, but don’t dwaddle.
But that’s not the way of the ninja. *pouts* Although I do foresee that if I ever get a ticket because of it my days of such freedom are over. ? HURRAY.
I love this message about living life to the fullest so much! I got goosebumps reading it. 😀 Also, I died when you clarified that you haven’t committed any crimes. I totally read “I don’t worry if the police will find out about my crimes” and started wondering what crimes you had committed before I noticed the clarification. XD
Thank you so much for reading, Emily! Oh my gosh ??? Don’t worry, God has definitely not had to deliver me from a life of crime. XD
Well, that’s a relief. XD
I agree with all of what Madi said in this post, but I feel like there’s something that needs clarifying that I think might not have crossed her mind; and that’s the way she talks about troubles. She tends to take this subject to extremes when comparing the lives of the lost to the lives of God’s children–a lost person’s life sucks like no other, and a Christian’s life is great. And she’s not wrong about that–I totally agree. The trouble is when she says something like:
“I don’t meander through life hoping God is glorified in my suffering and one day it’ll all be worth it in eternity. That’s not abundant life. That doesn’t cause people to want to serve my God too.”
Any other radical joy freak like her would cheer in agreement. But what about the girl who isn’t as fortunate as us? You know, that girl that goes to a public school where she’s bullied by almost everyone and both her grandfather and her mother died within 6-8 months of each other? (That actually happened to someone I know–and she’s still being bullied.) It’s not as easy for her to think herself happy, like Paul. She may misunderstand what Madi said, and think she’s wrong for feeling crushed under the weight of what she’s going through.
I’m not saying Madi did anything wrong–I’m saying that the way she puts it is, to put it simply, subject to misinterpretation. And here’s what I say to those who may have misunderstood:
It is true that sinners have it harder, because they don’t have the Holy Spirit to help them with their troubles and besetting sins. It is also true that Christians have an amazing life. But the thing is, everyone’s life has ups and downs. A Christian can go through some really hard times, and a sinner can be having a great time at the same time. This can be quite discouraging to people, and that is one hundred percent understandable. Have you ever read Psalm 73? In this Psalm, Asaph notices how good the wicked people of his day had it, while he got to suffer. He didn’t think it fair.
1 Truly God is good to Israel,
even to such as are of a clean heart.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone;
my steps had well nigh slipped.
3 For I was envious at the foolish,
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no bands in their death:
but their strength is firm.
5 They are not in trouble as other men;
neither are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain;
violence covereth them as a garment.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness:
they have more than heart could wish.
8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression:
they speak loftily.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens,
and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return hither:
and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11 And they say, How doth God know?
and is there knowledge in the most High?
12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world;
they increase in riches.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain,
and washed my hands in innocency.
14 For all the day long have I been plagued,
and chastened every morning.
The sad truth is, like I said a minute ago, this does happen. All the time. But you know what? Even if you’re watching your lost neighbor get rich and everything while you get to lose a family member or loved one, get a physical issue, or have financial trouble, we still have it better than them.
16 When I thought to know this,
it was too painful for me;
17 until I went into the sanctuary of God;
then understood I their end.
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places:
thou castedst them down into destruction.
19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment!
they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream when one awaketh;
so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
What I’m trying to say is, it’s not wrong to feel wounded by trials that come your way, and it’s not wrong to feel wronged because that fornicator over there is swimming in money and living in the lap of luxury. What is wrong is feeling sorry for yourself and not allowing yourself to be encouraged by your fellow Christians’s words, like the ones I’ve said. It’s okay to fall, but it’s not okay to keep laying on the ground. So don’t misinterpret Madi’s words about living an abundant life. The important thing to understand is she’s not saying, “Ooh, your mom died, poor baby, cry-cry! GET OVER IT.” She’s saying, “Oh, your mom died? That’s so sad, I understand. But don’t worry–God has a plan! Don’t let it knock you out of the race! Everything will be okay.”
And again, I’m not trying to shame Madi for anything, I’m not mad at her, and I’m not here to offend anyone. She didn’t do anything wrong in my opinion, I just think maybe she probably could’ve thought a little more about those who can’t as easily be radical joy freaks like her. And maybe no one even cared about how she put it–maybe it was understood just fine, but there is a possibility that it wasn’t, and I want to make sure no one gets upset. It is quite easy to hurt someone with your words and not know it, so I just want to look out for my sister in Christ. (Proverbs 22:3 — “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”) Love you, Madi; keep doing what you do. 🙂
I love this post! But…aren’t we all sinners? You seem to make sinners out to be only non-believers, but Christians sin too, so technically we’re all sinners but believers are just saved from their sins.
Thanks for reading, Hazel!
To answer your question: As a Christian, I’ve said goodbye to a lifestyle of sin—I’m not a sinner. I have come OFF the broad way that leads to destruction. I WAS a sinner but NOW I am saved—and the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:21)—not on my own, but by His grace. I’m not perfect and I do mess up, but I don’t live a lifestyle of sinning, which is what a sinner does. I hope that answers your question!
Madi put it excellently; she’s exactly right. I found it easier to wrap my head around when I thought of it this way: those who are lost always sin, no matter what they do (Proverbs 21:4 — “An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.”), and make a lifestyle of it. Those who are saved are Christians who inevitably sin; but we have the privilege of being able to repent and remove those sins from God’s memory forever (1 John 1:9 — “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”). Thus, in God’s eyes, it is as if we never sinned.
Just thought I’d add my two cents. 🙂 Hope that makes sense.
Great way to put it Madi! I completely agree with what you’re saying!
Thanks so much, Hannah!
Wow, this was an amazing post. It was super inspirational. We need more people like you in the world teaching people that “it doesn’t such to serve God.” I think a lot of youth have lost the joy in it because their parents said “Go to church!” and “Be good!” but never why they celebrated God, or why God was good. They just expected it to be known to the children like it was to them. And that’s horrible. The youth today are lost. Nice post, Madison. <3
Thank you so much for reading, Ariana, and for such a great comment.
You’re welcome! <3 Aw, thanks.
Hi, there, Madi. I love this post! I’ve been trying to help convert people to Christians [and environmentalists], and I’ve come to realize it is WAY harder than I thought it would be. Yes, it’s worthwhile to put aside time for God every day, to study the Bible, and try to listen to God’s voice. It’s also worth it to eat less processed food, buy things at thrift stores, and use clean energy. All those things are worth it but that doesn’t make it easy. Reaching out to people is hard. It’s so hard I just want to scream sometimes because it feels like nobody’s listening. I know it’s worth it, though because every time I tried to pause all the things I believe in because it felt easier I felt like I was doing the wrong thing. So, I guess what I’m trying to say is that it is hard but it gives me a sense of peace. I KNOW I’m doing the right thing, even if it doesn’t make sense.
Xoxoxxoxoxox
McKayla
http://www.crazycountrydolls.blogspot.com
http://www.thetalesofatriplethreat.blogspot.com
Thanks for reading, McKayla!
Aww thanks for reading my comment.
Ooh yes the Job thing absolutely
Yesss
Hey Madi, I am having a hard time understanding what you are saying precisely. Would you clarify some things?
What do you mean by a hard life? What is a hard life?
What are the blessings God gives us?
Can you give some examples of what a good life on earth vs. a hard life on earth is?
Thanks so much, Madi. 🙂
-Jewel
Always happy to clarify or answer questions, Jewel! I just don’t argue or debate.
Hard life: Deuteronomy 28:15-68 spells out what a cursed, hard life is.
(It’s normal to have some hard challenges, but it’s unscriptural to be defeated by them. Jesus promises us victory over every trial if we obey His Word concerning it.)
What are the blessings God gives us?: Impossible to fully list them. Deuteronomy 28:1-14 is a good start.
Examples of a good life: Deuteronomy 28:1-14. Examples of a hard life: Deuteronomy 28:15-68.
Hope that clarifies, Jewel, and thanks for reading.
Thank you, Madi. I am asking because I feel it is what the Lord wants me to do, and I hold nothing against you. I really appreciate your willingness to clarify any questions! 🙂
You will run into other opinions, I would think, on a blog about Christianity (a trial Christians must expect). Would you prefer not to run into controversy?
1 Peter 3:14-18 English Standard Version (ESV):
14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
When you started this blog did you want to be able to defend the word of the Lord? I’m sure you did, because you desire God and His will to be uplifted. Why do you not desire to debate to defend your beliefs in Him, especially if held in respectful grounds? Correct me if I am wording that incorrectly.
I thank you very much for taking the time to answer questions. I really appreciate it. In the passages in Deuteronomy (I read them through), God was warning the nation of Israel as a whole people and not specific individuals, as you know. May you clarify why you believe that God addressing a corrupt nation applies to specific individuals and their sins today?
Yes, God gives us many blessings for sure! I think I should have worded the blessing question differently. Do you believe a Christian should ultimately have a life of prosperity in earthly possessions and love and adoration from others? You said we will run against trials, but I am confused because you said being a Christian is not hard. I am going through something extremely hard in my life right now, and trusting and loving the Lord has really helped my family to cope with it, but that does not mean it is not still difficult and sad. The sadness has grown me closer to the Lord. There are hungry suffering Christians that have love for the Lord all over the world, and believe in His power to help them, but that does not mean their life suddenly becomes easy. Job lost everything, as you said, and God was wonderful to restore that, but new children could not have made up for the ones he lost, etc., right? May you explain more on how you perceive his situation?
Thank you tons, again. 🙂
-Jewel
I’m also interested to see Madi’s point of view on this. Personally, I believe that 1) yes, debating on spiritual matters is good, because it helps you grow in the faith, and it is very, VERY important to know not only what you believe, but WHY you believe it. And, of course, all debates should be held in respect–there shouldn’t be a screaming, rage-filled fight about it (though there is such a thing as righteous anger, but that’s kinda beside the point).
2) While it is important to be able to tell what has been fulfilled and what is still yet to be fulfilled (referring to the ceremonial law vs. what we are supposed to keep still), it is very scary and dangerous to say, “Well, that doesn’t apply to me.” The thing is, while the ceremonial law has already been dealt with by Jesus’s death and resurrection, there is still symbolism and principals in it that we should learn about and it all still holds true. (Revelation 22:18-19 — “For I testify unto EVERY MAN that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If ANY MAN shall add unto these things, God shall add unto HIM the plagues that are written in this book: and if ANY MAN shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”) Just because something’s “old testament” or “meant for Israel” doesn’t mean it doesn’t also apply to us as individuals. Another thing, a nation is made up of individual people, so (sorry if this sounds offensive–it’s really not meant to be, I just don’t know how else to say it) it doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense to say it only applies to a nation as a whole.
3) No, being a Christian does not in any way guarantee a life of prosperity in earthly possessions and fame and whatnot, and if you aren’t “prosperous” (in worldly terms), that does not make you a bad Christian, nor does it indicate you are doing something wrong. Yes, some Christians are blessed in that way (like R.G. LeTourneau), but most aren’t. The only thing God ever promised us basically and outright was what we needed to live (Philippians 4:19 — “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 6:8 — “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”). That’s only a basic promise, though. God also promises to bless us even more if we do what He says (Malachi 3:10 — “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”).
4) Whether or not you have a hard life depends on your definition of hard. I think what Madi meant was, there will be things about your life that are hard, but those things do not stay forever. A Christian’s life is not all about trial and tribulation and stormy times, whatever you want to call it–you should always have the joy of the Lord in your heart, even in the midst of trouble (Acts 26:2 — “I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:”).
Hey, Kirstyn! Yes, I completely agree with your points, and am in no way trying to say the old Testament has no use to us. All Scripture is breathed out by God and has equal value! We can still learn from things like the ceremonial law definitely, and so it is useful, but maybe a better way for me to have put it was that the specific passages mentioned in Deuteronomy were for Israel at a specific time and history. For example (in the same passage Madi gave) Deuteronomy 28:27 says, “The Lord will strike you with the boils of Egypt, and with tumors and scabs and itch, of which you cannot be healed.” I don’t think we will get boils, tumors and scabs specifically and necessarily if we disobey though there are still consequences. It also talks about oxen, kings, nations, and bringing back to Egypt, all stuff which is not directly applicable to people today, if that makes sense. I understand what you are saying about it applying to individuals, though some of the stuff mentioned did apply to the nation as a whole. After Jesus’ death the law and other things evolved, and what God said to Israel meant for a specific point in time does not always apply to us in certain ways. So maybe Madi was saying that a hard life depends on how you look at and deal with it. So, we have trials and sometimes they won’t end, but if we hang on to Christ we can have joy? I completely agree with that, and have experienced that as well! Anyway, great comment, Kirstyn. 🙂
-Jewel
https://treasuredscript.com/
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What you say is true, but there is also a lot of symbolism and typology in the Bible–Like, a lot a lot. Egypt is a type of the world, disease (most especially lepersy) represents sin, and Israel tends to represent the believers. In Deuteronomy 28:27 (“The Lord will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.”), I think God’s words had a deeper meaning–if we continue in our sins, God will stop speaking to us and just leave us to self-destruct (that sounds harsh, doesn’t it? Well, God said it in Romans 1:28-29 — “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness…”). And you are right that not all things apply to us in certain ways–I’m not saying you’re not. I’m saying that Madi’s interpretation of this passage–that it describes a hard life–is valid as well. The keywords here are “in certain ways.”
This is so good, girlie… I love having you back!
Also, I love how you felt the need to clarify your crime record. XD
Thank you so much, Kendall! ❤️
Ah yes. One can never be too sure of me these days. ??
This is a great emotionally fortifying post! It’s great to be reminded that you shouldn’t give up, because no matter what you’re going through, you’ll always make it to the other side, and God will be glorified through your deliverance. His grace is sufficient!
Thanks for reading, Kirstyn!
I definitely think the same way about God too! Awesome post Madi, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading and commenting, Charlotte!
Your recent posts have been so powerful! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks for reading them, Anna! I love getting comments from you. ☺️
Love this post, Madi!! So happy you’re back!! ??
Thanks so much for reading, Liz! I’m so glad too! ❤️
This was so good, Madi, it really encouraged me and I just loved it so much. Thank you so much for writing this. <3
Man, I’m so happy to hear that, Livy! Thanks so much for reading. ❤️
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