For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:10-11 ESV
One of our sons recently adopted a puppy. Unlike our two other mellow labs, this puppy is a bundle of energy. Since she is still learning house rules, we find ourselves correcting her several times a day. She also doesn’t seem to know how to ‘shut off’ her energy, especially in the evening when we are trying to relax. Thankfully, we’ve discovered a system that seems to work: Len puts her on her leash and holds on to her while he sits back and watches the news or reads a book. The mere fact of being on that leash seems to send a signal to her brain that it’s time to quiet down. Perhaps it’s the boundaries established by the leash, the reassurance his voice and presence provide, or a combination of both but within seconds of being on that leash, she will plop to the floor next to his chair and fall sound asleep.
You and I have that same affinity to stray from God’s Word. When we wander from his commandments, He steps in and draws us back to Him. Those commandments are there, not to restrict us or to burden us, but to keep us from harm. Psalm 119:71 says, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.” His discipline is corrective rather than punitive because it is intended to correct, adjust, and improve our relationship with God and our fellow man. His discipline is evidence of His love. His discipline is proof that we are His beloved children. He loves us too much to leave us incomplete.
Prayer: Draw me back to you and to your word, Lord. For it is within the boundaries of your laws that I find safety and holiness. It is only in drawing close to you that I can experience true peace. Amen.
Thought: Even when God deems it necessary to discipline us for persistent disobedience, He always does so out of love to restore us to the way of obedience (Hebrews 12:4-11) – Jerry Bridges.