Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law; you grant them relief from the days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked (Psalm 94:12-13).
You may be like me – surprised to find one of God’s promises is discipline. Who asks for that?
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves as a father the son he delights in (Proverbs 3:11-12)
…God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore… Make level paths for your feet…(Hebrews 12:10b-13a)
NIV
We may not want discipline or ask for it, but when we need it, God gives it. From a loving father to a child who needs correction, God takes charge when we stray from the path He has designed for us.
D. James Kennedy had this insight:
We live in an age characterized by lawlessness. We do not hold criminals accountable for their actions. We do not hold able-bodied welfare recipients accountable for being industrious and providing for themselves and their families. We do not hold our political leaders accountable for acts of immorality, corruption, and criminality while in office. We do not hold children accountable for being decent, respectful, honest, trustworthy, and upright.
The permissiveness of the past two decades has produced an age of lawlessness today. The Bible rebukes our permissiveness and calls us to godly discipline. Remember, we are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ, and we are called to discipline our children – and to be a disciple one must be disciplined! To be disciplined means to have boundaries, to know that there are things we should do, and things we must not do. Our children need discipline and (though few would admit it!) they really want and seek it. Show me an undisciplined child and I will show you a bundle of insecurities, because that child lives in a disordered, chaotic, and meaningless world; children need and crave structure and dependability in their lives. Show me an undisciplined child, and I will show you a child who feels unloved, because no one has ever taken the time to care for him by setting loving boundaries for his life.
D. James Kennedy, Led by the Carpenter: Finding God’s Purpose for Your Life
Led by the Carpenter was published in 1999!! Do you want relief from the days of trouble occurring now – in 2022? Submit to any discipline your loving Father may give you, creating level paths for your feet. His desire is for you to share in his holiness.
One Focus Ministries 