They will, however, become subject to him, so that they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands. 2 Chronicles 12:8

Difficulties come into people’s lives on a regular basis. Sometimes those difficulties are there to teach a person some concept that he does not appear to have learned yet.

Judges hand down jail sentences or work sentences in order to get the person to realize that following the law is better than the alternatives. The purpose is to guide the person back into the right way of living.

Due to the sins of Israel, God sent Shishak, king of Egypt, in to take enslave the Israelites. He did this so that the people would learn the difference between having to serve Him or a foreign king.

Believers are supposed to serve God above self and others. However, many believers often choose to do things that others want or that they personally want above what God has called them to do.

Sometimes God, in His great wisdom, will allow the person to do what he wants, but will also hand him over to the enemy to be taught a lesson. Life will suddenly turn very difficult, and one will lose the favor of God in his life. Instead of having the peace and joy in serving God, one will have trouble serving the world.

The world will hand out condemnation focused on destroying the believer, rather than building him up. During that time, people often hit rock bottom and realize what they have done. At that point they turn their eyes back up to God and begin to serve Him once again.

Rather than rejecting God, believers need to serve God regardless of how easy or difficult it is. He brings life, not death as the world does.

There may be times when you do not really want to continue to serve God. It may look better to serve the world. Do not allow yourself to buy into the lies of the world and reject God. He may hand you over to be taught a lesson on who is better to serve.

Keep your focus upon serving God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength. He will give you life abundantly, greater than the world will ever be able to supply. Do not be a slave to the world, but to God.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will serve God with your whole life; that you will not reject God’s commands in your life; that God will not have to hand you over to serve the world; and that you will know the abundant life God has for you.