Hitting the trail and having at it, taking your licks, and pushing through. Driving through whatever the trails throws your way.”
–John Deacon (The Provider 2)
“For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”
“For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”
–James 1:3 (NLT)
———————————-
3.11 — My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD or loathe His reproof,
.12 — For whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. (NASB)
3.11 — My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,
.12 — for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. (ESV)
Funny how some things linger in the mind and never leave. I can remember that hot June night waiting, waiting, and then hearing the “click, click, click” of boots wearing taps. The drill instructor appeared. Tension was already high, but it climbed even higher, just like the hot, humid night. For the next several weeks we were trained, and disciplined, to do what we should do and were oftentimes severely reprimanded if we did not. Quickly we learned, most of us, that we needed to pay close attention to the instruction given to us. The CEB puts verse 11 this way, “Don’t reject the instruction of the LORD…”.
At the beginning of this time of training the job of the instructor was to tear down the old facade that we carried. The attitude of “I’m going to do my own things” was quickly erased or the recruit was booted out. In the military there is no room for autonomy. In fact, there is no room for it in the life of a Christian. To have this attitude is to put oneself up on a pedestal–to become an idol. Discipline, instruction are a must and we must understand the why of it. In fact, the writer of Hebrews says, “If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate…”. (12:8, NIV)
We are on this earth to do the Father’s will; to do that we must be properly trained. We are then not to make light of His discipline. Part of proper training is discipline, doing what is right, over and over. We are to understand what the will of the Father is and that comes from the Scriptures and His correction. Notice this part of 2 Timothy 3:16, “useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character”. (CEB) I like the way this is put. God disciplines us, chastens, not for punishment. Discipline is not punishment; criminals are punished, sons are admonished and trained. We need to understand that “if they [afflictions] were intended as mere punishments they would have been made more destructive”. (Spencer)
Overall, I didn’t mind basic training. I understood the purpose and I understood the need for discipline. We were pushed, we were admonished to finish the task at hand; to do it right and to do it right the first time. Oh, at times the affliction seemed hard to bear, but understanding the purpose of it made it bearable. J.L. Flores states, “The pain itself is that which renders us unable to see the connection between it and the benefit it is to work out.” Don’t let feelings get in the way, realize the hand of the Lord in His discipline. It is important for us to recognize the difference between the miseries of life that come because of sin and that of God’s correction. Do not confuse correction with rejection. This correction/discipline shows that we are children of God. Woe unto that parent who does not discipline their children for they are setting them up for a fall. Someone wisely has said, “God’s strokes are better than Satan’s kiss and love; God smites for life, Satan caresses for death”.
Hebrews tells us the purpose of God’s discipline, “For they [parents] disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness”. (12:10, NASB) We are called, “My son…” meaning we are recognized as individuals and one of God’s children. God knows what we need and when we need it, and how much discipline is needed. “God discerns the needs of His children.” (Flores) I remember speaking with a parent who spanked their child for every infraction, and I asked him what he would do if the child ever did something seriously wrong?
The purpose of discipline/instruction is for training, for education. There is a reason behind proper discipline. Even if it is rebuke or chastising for sin, the purpose is to eradicate sin–that develops character. There is significance in the idea of discipline. It shows relationship, son-ship. God is presiding over our training. And I smile as I now write, “No pain–no gain.” We are to “look beyond the pain to the hand that chastens.” (F.B. Meyer) A slogan from the Navy SEALs puts discipline in perspective, “The only easy day was yesterday.” Friend, the Lord loves so much that He is not willing to let you go your own way. He is keeping close watch and if need be bring His hand of correction on us. The words of Job should bring us hope, “Behold, how happy is the man who God reproves, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For He inflicts pain, and give relief; He wounds, and His hands also heal”. (Job 5:17-18, NASB)
———————————-
3.11 — My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD or loathe His reproof,
.12 — For whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. (NASB)
3.11 — My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,
.12 — for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. (ESV)
Funny how some things linger in the mind and never leave. I can remember that hot June night waiting, waiting, and then hearing the “click, click, click” of boots wearing taps. The drill instructor appeared. Tension was already high, but it climbed even higher, just like the hot, humid night. For the next several weeks we were trained, and disciplined, to do what we should do and were oftentimes severely reprimanded if we did not. Quickly we learned, most of us, that we needed to pay close attention to the instruction given to us. The CEB puts verse 11 this way, “Don’t reject the instruction of the LORD…”.
At the beginning of this time of training the job of the instructor was to tear down the old facade that we carried. The attitude of “I’m going to do my own things” was quickly erased or the recruit was booted out. In the military there is no room for autonomy. In fact, there is no room for it in the life of a Christian. To have this attitude is to put oneself up on a pedestal–to become an idol. Discipline, instruction are a must and we must understand the why of it. In fact, the writer of Hebrews says, “If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate…”. (12:8, NIV)
We are on this earth to do the Father’s will; to do that we must be properly trained. We are then not to make light of His discipline. Part of proper training is discipline, doing what is right, over and over. We are to understand what the will of the Father is and that comes from the Scriptures and His correction. Notice this part of 2 Timothy 3:16, “useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character”. (CEB) I like the way this is put. God disciplines us, chastens, not for punishment. Discipline is not punishment; criminals are punished, sons are admonished and trained. We need to understand that “if they [afflictions] were intended as mere punishments they would have been made more destructive”. (Spencer)
Overall, I didn’t mind basic training. I understood the purpose and I understood the need for discipline. We were pushed, we were admonished to finish the task at hand; to do it right and to do it right the first time. Oh, at times the affliction seemed hard to bear, but understanding the purpose of it made it bearable. J.L. Flores states, “The pain itself is that which renders us unable to see the connection between it and the benefit it is to work out.” Don’t let feelings get in the way, realize the hand of the Lord in His discipline. It is important for us to recognize the difference between the miseries of life that come because of sin and that of God’s correction. Do not confuse correction with rejection. This correction/discipline shows that we are children of God. Woe unto that parent who does not discipline their children for they are setting them up for a fall. Someone wisely has said, “God’s strokes are better than Satan’s kiss and love; God smites for life, Satan caresses for death”.
Hebrews tells us the purpose of God’s discipline, “For they [parents] disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness”. (12:10, NASB) We are called, “My son…” meaning we are recognized as individuals and one of God’s children. God knows what we need and when we need it, and how much discipline is needed. “God discerns the needs of His children.” (Flores) I remember speaking with a parent who spanked their child for every infraction, and I asked him what he would do if the child ever did something seriously wrong?
The purpose of discipline/instruction is for training, for education. There is a reason behind proper discipline. Even if it is rebuke or chastising for sin, the purpose is to eradicate sin–that develops character. There is significance in the idea of discipline. It shows relationship, son-ship. God is presiding over our training. And I smile as I now write, “No pain–no gain.” We are to “look beyond the pain to the hand that chastens.” (F.B. Meyer) A slogan from the Navy SEALs puts discipline in perspective, “The only easy day was yesterday.” Friend, the Lord loves so much that He is not willing to let you go your own way. He is keeping close watch and if need be bring His hand of correction on us. The words of Job should bring us hope, “Behold, how happy is the man who God reproves, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For He inflicts pain, and give relief; He wounds, and His hands also heal”. (Job 5:17-18, NASB)