In my regular reading through the Scriptures with my wife, we've come to Deutoronomy. This is one of my favorite OT books on account of the robust monotheism and grandeur of God set forth there (not to mention the devotional quality of instruction inculcated by Moses, which typically stirs my heart, or the gospel of grace held forth, which comforts my sin-sick soul). And at Deut. 28:47-48, in a section that recounts the blessings and the curses for covenant fidelity or infidelity, respectively, I was reminded of an important word from Jeremy Taylor that John Piper records in Desiring God.
But first, the text of Deut. 28:47-48: "Because you did not serve YHWH your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things, therefore you shall serve your enemies whom YHWH will send against you, in hunger and thirst, in nakedness, and lacking everything. . . ."
Now, Taylor's word of warning that throws some of the shock of Deut. 28:47-48 into bold relief: "God threatens terrible things, if we will not be happy!"
Yes, God commands that we be happy in him. And no, of course it is not a chipper or light-hearted happiness in view. Weighty joy, joy with gravity, rooted in the everlasting goodness and grace of God, bought by Jesus' blood and freely offered from his exalted throne, is commanded.
Paul put it like this: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" A command to be happy in God. So familiar we miss it. So for all those who love to make a big song and dance about the ten commandments in schools and the like, add this one: "Rejoice in the Lord always!"
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