Day 16: Jesus Thanks The Father
for Revealing Life to the Childlike
For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:12
One of the realities revealed to us in Scripture is that part of being a child of God is correction. None of us like correction or discipline. In fact, in the Book of Hebrews we read these words: 10For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. (Hebrews 12:10-11 NLT) What does it mean to be corrected or disciplined by God? That’s an important question, since both the passage from Proverbs 3:12 and Hebrews 12:10-11 makes it clear that God corrects and disciplines those He loves. First, God gave us His word to correct and discipline us. As we read the Bible we find that some of the things we do don’t glorify God. If we have received Jesus as our Savior and Lord, then we want to please Him. That means the reading and understanding of these passages of Scripture that have been written to correct and discipline us, move us to transformation. Thus, the Bible becomes a “corrector” in our lives. Another way that God corrects and disciplines us in life, is through our families (if they are Christians) and through our church family. When we see a brother or sister in the Lord going down the wrong path, it is our responsibility to correct and discipline him or her. This is something many of us are reticent to do in our day, but the reality is a word or act of correction and discipline properly timed and delivered in love has kept people from making serious mistakes, or committing sins in their lives! Sometimes God corrects us by urging us through the voice of the Holy Spirit either not to do something that is wrong or to do something that is right. The more closely we listen and respond to God’s correction in our lives, the more grateful we will be over time, because His voice and His instruction will keep us from a great deal of pain and suffering that comes with breaking His will for our lives.
Questions and Comments for Reflection and Action:
In what areas of your life has God been correcting or disciplining you? In what areas do you know that you need correction or discipline?
Take some time right now to ask God to show your areas where He needs to correct and discipline you, and then ask for the Holy Spirit’s power to be transformed!