Godly Discipline
I’ve been fascinated and confronted with the study of 1 Samuel over the last few weeks. So many passages have been meant for me right now in my life. There is plenty of correction and that is one of the purposes of God’s word, to correct us.
I had ordered several bible studies months ago and they sat in a box waiting to be explored. In packing for our weekend retreats I decided to make a bible bag that would stay there so I didn’t have to transport one every week. As I looked through the bible studies to decide which one to take, 1 Samuel stood out to me. God was leading me to the correction I need.
Out of 10 bible studies this is the one He chose and every chapter seems to be spot on for dealing with issues that I need to address. Thank you Lord. One of the verses this morning read, “My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline, but don’t be crushed by it either. It’s the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects.”
“God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.” (Hebrews 12:5-6 MSG)
How encouraging that is; I’m loved by God! Each chapter that I’ve been studying has brought to light areas in my life that I need to address and refine. It would be easy to get frustrated and feel like it was overwhelming and that I will never measure up, but instead, the word says that God is training me so that I can truly live God’s holy best.
The correction is painful at times because it shows me what is truly in my heart and at times it is nothing that would please God. But as His refining melts away the things that are not of Him, it leaves something beautiful and new.
There is a song called, “I’ll never be the same again,” by Hillsong. The lyrics are:
I will never be the same again.
I can never return I’ve closed the door
I will walk the path I’ll run the race
And I will never be the same again Fall like fire, soak like rain
Flow like mighty water
Again and again
Sweep away the darkness burn away the chaff
And let the flame
Burn to glory Your name There are higher heights there are deeper seas
Whatever you need to do, lord do in me
The glory of God fills my life
And I will Never be the same again
When I sing those words I tear up and say, “Thank you Lord!” I don’t every what to be what I use to be. Change me. Refine me. Correct me. Because I know that You do all of that because You love me.
My Prayer
Father, thank you for Your discipline and refining in my life. I’m so grateful that You love me enough to correct me. I want to live Your holy best and to mature in my relationship with You. As the song says, “whatever You need to do Lord, do in me.” You know best and I trust you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Where does my help come from?
Hebrews 12:5-6 NLT
“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t give up when he corrects you.
For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”