TDW 02-04-09 God's Hand Of Correction Is Rooted In Love

From: The Word Among Us
(God's Hand Of Correction Is Rooted In Love)

Do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines. (Hebrews 12:5-6)

Did you know that the words “discipline” and “disciple” come from the same root word, which means “learner”? We want to be disciples of Jesus, responding to his call to learn from him and to be transformed more and more into his image. And part of that learning and transformation process involves discipline and correction. Like any good teacher, Jesus knows he must encourage us and tell us where we are doing well. And like any good teacher, he knows that he must also point out our mistakes and correct us when we go the wrong way.

The author of Hebrews shows us how God can use the hard things we are asked to do, or the hard things that befall us, to discipline us. Experiences like these clarify two things. First, when things don’t go well, we discover what matters most to us. And second, when pressed beyond our natural abilities, we realize that our real strength comes from God and not from our own resources.

Often God clarifies his intentions for us through a word of correction. This may come through Scripture, in our prayer, or through a brother or sister. We may also be brought up short by the example of another believer. One man noticed that a fellow parishioner always stayed after Church to pray, and it got the man thinking. “Why do I act as if nothing special just happened? I really should start praying myself.” Thus, one man’s witness caused another man to draw closer to the Lord.

Are you being disciplined by the Lord? Try to take a look at your heart today and see if anything is out of God’s order. Perhaps there is an area of your life that you need to strengthen or correct. If so, don’t get discouraged or frustrated. Instead, follow the advice from Hebrews. Your Father is only treating you as his beloved child. Remember the Son who “learned obedience from what he suffered” so that he could become “the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him” (Hebrews 5:8).

”Father, sometimes it’s hard to see beyond the difficulties of the present moment. Help me to keep my eyes on the prize and never lose hold of your unconditional love for me.”

Psalm 103:1-2,13-14,17-18;
 Mark 6:1-6