Hebrews 12:5-6

Hebrews 12:5-6

And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

Discipline and correction are good for our lives. A parent disciplines a child because they care for that child and they want the best for that child. They want that child to be happy, content, well-received, respected, and loved. So the parent trains that child in the path that they should follow. And when the child gets off course, the parent corrects their steps, placing them back on the right path. If the parent didn’t care for the child, they would not put forth the effort to discipline and correct the child. They would leave the child to his own devices, allowing him to figure things out on his own. And inevitably, the child would find the wrong path and lead a life to destruction. We all need discipline in our lives, even when we are beyond our childhood years. We are all susceptible to making mistakes…we all fall victim to sin and we all stray from the path that the Lord has put in place for our lives. And if someone doesn’t correct us, we would likely follow that sinful path deeper and deeper into darkness, until one day, there is not a speck of light to lead us out. Thankfully, God keeps close tabs on our lives. Thankfully God takes note of where we are and guides us back the righteous path. At times he does it gently and subtly, while at other times, we require more of a “2x4 to the face” approach to get our attention. Either way, we should always acknowledge and accept the discipline that the Lord puts into play in our lives. Even if it makes us uncomfortable or unhappy for the moment, in the long run, we will look back in thanks for the Lord’s wisdom and loving hand. For a path of righteousness is infinitely better than a path of sinfulness…hands down, no question about it…we WILL be better off following the Lord above anything else in this life.  In prayer, may we seek the Lord’s discipline and correction in our lives each day, welcoming the return to the righteous path when we have strayed into sin. To God alone be the glory!