Thought for Friday, March 23rd

March 23, 2012

Don’t Despise God’s Discipline

Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole. He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword. Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh. At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.  For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee. And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin. Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth. Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.  Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good.

Job 5:17-27

Quote of the Day

“The Bible warns very strongly that you are to obey your parents.  The rod is considered old-fashioned in many homes.  Psychiatrists say it will warp your personality.  When I did something wrong as a boy, my mother warped part of me, but it wasn’t my personality.” – Billy Graham

Today’s Thoughts and Insights

Sin has been around for a very long time.  And with the birth of sin came the need for discipline.

When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden (their sin being that they disobeyed God): God was compelled to initiate the use of what has become to be knows as (The Rod of His Correction).

Remember the Bible teaches us that to spare the rod is to spoil the child – and God would not go against His own word.

So just as in the beginning when mankind sinned or disobeyed, God administered discipline or correction: and that process has continued down through the ages.

We need to keep in mind that God promises to correct those He loves.  And who is there among us that doesn’t want to be loved by Him?

And while it is true that God will forgive our sins if we will repent and ask Him too – He does not always remove the consequences that are brought about by our sin or disobedience.

We like to think of God as being compassionate and forgiving: which He is; but He is also a God of correction and instruction and the Bible is resplendent with accounts of God poring out His judgment and administering His correction when His children are errant in their ways.

But be comforted in this:  God would not spend His time disciplining us if He didn’t love us so much and didn’t want us to achieve our greatest potential and live up to our fullest capabilities in Him.

So give thanks when He loves you enough to discipline you and if you don’t want to face the prospects of His discipline then cut back on the sinning.

Today’s Prayer

Father you are fair, just, gracious and compassionate but you are also loving enough that you are not willing to leave us to our own devices.  You bless us even when we don’t deserve it: but you also correct us when necessary and even discipline us if we don’t head your warnings: thank you!

“We are not punished for our sins but by them.”

– Elbert Hubbard

“Let the poor man say
I am rich in Him
Let the lost man say
I am found in Him
Let the blind man say
I can see again
Let the dead man say
I am born again 
Holy Spirit come
Move in power“

- from ‘Let The River Flow’ by Darrell Evans