Divine Discipline
And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as His children? He said, “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.” As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as He does all of His children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really His children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For 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. No 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 12:5-11 (NLT)
Discipline is love. We can see this for others but often miss it for ourselves. For instance, if a small child is trying to run away from you in a busy parking lot, it’s loving to discipline them so they learn not to continue this dangerous behavior. Even if they get mad at you, you’re ultimately doing this for their good—you know more about the situation than they do.
It's the same with our heavenly Father.
His discipline proves that He loves us. He cares enough about us to set us back on the right path. And while this doesn’t make the discipline enjoyable, it does help us maintain some perspective.
Author Jerry Bridges says this about discipline:
The purpose of God’s discipline is not to punish us but to transform us. He has already meted out punishment for our sins on Jesus at Calvary. But we must be transformed more and more into the likeness of Christ. That is the purpose of discipline.
So, how is the Father transforming you? What is He trying to show you through His divine discipline? Where is He loving you through discipline, and why? Are you receptive to how He’s leading?
Application:
Take a moment to think about how God has loved you through discipline. If you’re in that season right now, ask God what He wants you to know. Implore the Holy Spirit to transform you more and more every day.
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for loving me enough to discipline me. Help me remember that You are for me, not against me.
Make me more like Your Son Jesus, in whose name I pray.
Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?