“And the leaders said to them, ‘Let them live.’ So they became cutters of wood and drawers of water for all the congregation, just as the leaders had said of them.” vs21

It is better to become a servant than to suffer under God's wrath. It's better to be forgiven than to lose our souls. It's better to serve a few years on earth - resisting sin, Satan, and denying yourself - and then enjoy eternal pleasures in heaven.

Surprisingly, God is good on earth. He makes the journey pleasurable. Matthew 11:29 - "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." He provides power over sin, when we yield ourselves to his way. When we stop fighting him by seeking our own glory, there is peace. Proverbs 13:10 - "Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise." There's joy in the knowledge of God’s goodness and our eternal rewards. There's satisfaction in his love. Jeremiah 31:14 - "I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, declares the LORD.""

Turn to him, rather than away. Lay down your weapons. Lay them aside. Call upon God for grace. Ask him to show you his love. Obtain pardon, the Spirit, and you'll be carried on your journey, supported in your weakness, and helped in your troubles. God will be with you, and he is good. Oh, the infinite goodness and tangible heart bursting love of a redeeming God. His generosity, patience, and condescension are boundless. His grace is good, and his yoke is rest. “You will find rest for your souls.”

Secondly, this is submission. — Joshua 9:25, “And now, behold, we are in your hand. Whatever seems good and right in your sight to do to us, do it.” Bless God for it, rejoice, and bow down. Submission is the sweetest place before Christ. It is the path of peace. Psalm 131:2 - "But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me." It is the way forward with God, rather than against. It's nearness to him in heart affection, satisfaction, and deep assurance. The best things in life are here, because God is here!

Is it strange that we love God? That one so Infinitely Powerful would love us is marvelous. If we know him, then we love him by believing his word. God's promises, character, and our unfailing Mediator cause the deepest joy and security. Unfathomable love and hope beyond expression is ours. 1 Peter 1:8 - "Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory," As we walk God's way, peace is abundant! There's nothing in rebellion but illicit pleasure and future pain. Confusion, guilt, and squander are the results of unbelief. God is real, and he is good. Therefore, submission is best for us. He does no wrong. Psalm 25:10 - "All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies."

When Joni Erickson Tada was paralyzed, she gained. When she submitted, she entered her inheritance, and helped millions. God gives her peace.

When I learned God's way and TOOK THE YOKE, I found him more gracious, beautiful, fulfilling than imagined. Matthew 11:30 — "For my yoke is kindness, and my burden is light.”"

Yield to his love. Trust him wholeheartedly. His word is to be lived by. We know the Invisible God by faith in the reality of his Existence and our relationship with him. It is thrilling that sinners are redeemed, walk with God in his love, and will perfectly praise him in heaven. Long for this time, dear saints, when without sin, we glorify him, praise him, and love both God and the redeemed without envy, pride, or pretense. It will be pure love, forever, perfect holiness, and peace!

Thirdly, we won't die and go to hell. — Joshua 9:26, “So he did this to them and delivered them out of the hand of the people of Israel, and they did not kill them.”

The alternative to obedience is so dire and drastic that it's incalculable. To be in hell, forever and never get out, is a thought beyond our comprehension, but God has promised it. Mark 9:48 — "‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’"

Fear God, puny human, for he has hell prepared for rebels! He has another side - fierce beyond imagination with terrors, pain, and punishment. Do not be deceived by the god of this age that we don't have to serve Christ. Take his yoke, or suffer endless regret and torment. The lake of fire is not to be played with. Prepare. Counsel yourself wisely, and be instructed. Come with a plea for peace. We can't defeat this King, not by distorting his word, ignoring it, or railing against him. Let your rebellion cease. Destruction is coming. It is certain.

Believe, like the Gibeonites, that mercy is better than wrath, because wrath is sure. Know that you can't fight Flaming Fire, when he comes to take vengeance. Isaiah 27:4 - "Fury is not in Me. Who would set briers and thorns Against Me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together." Prepare now for the Judgment.

If we yield, it will be well. Service will not be more than we can handle, for he will help us. He'll be gracious, kind, and assisting. He'll carry us in our weakness, and supply all our needs. Isaiah 46:4 — "even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear;

I will carry and will save."

Finally, as the smoke ascends from hell, we'll be laughing and praising God with pure, holy, endless pleasure. We'll win life, obtain immortality, and be the trophies of God's grace, rather than going to a place without pity. Malachi 3:17 — "“They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him."

No one pities the damned when hell is their torture chamber. Damned souls don’t pity each other. They care for themselves, without hope. The saints will have no pity. They’ll shout hallelujah and rejoice in the smoke. The wicked are getting their due. Revelation 19:2-3 "for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants." Once more they cried out, "Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.""