As you step out today, here’s a reminder from God’s word to you from Hebrews 11:7-11 [NLT]
7. “Let God train you, for he is doing what any loving father does for his children. Whoever heard of a son who was never corrected?
8. If God doesn’t punish ( discipline) you when you need it, as other fathers punish (discipline) their sons, then it means that you aren’t really God’s son at all—that you don’t really belong in his family.
9. Since we respect our fathers here on earth, though they punish us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to God’s training so that we can begin really to live?
10.Our earthly fathers trained us for a few brief years, doing the best for us that they knew how, but God’s correction is always right and for our best good, that we may share his holiness.
11. Being punished isn’t enjoyable while it is happening—it hurts! But afterward, we can see the result, a quiet growth in grace and character.”
God loves us his children unconditionally, yet as a loving and good father he wants to correct us so that we can constantly be in line with his will for our lives. The bible says in Proverbs 3:12 “For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
Today’s key verses give us a clear picture of what we are to expect in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. The verses provide a good illustration of the role of our earthly fathers who though are imperfect in their ways, do their best to train us because they want the best for us, yet we respect them.
How much more our Heavenly Father, who is perfect in all his ways. Shouldn’t we then submit cheerfully and excitedly to his training and correction because He has the best plans for us and knows everything about our lives? So who is best to train us if not the God who created us and fashioned us after his likeness. Isaiah 64:18 says “Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
All through the Bible, we are reminded of God’s unfailing and unchanging love for us and this love was demonstrated through the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. However, today’s verse makes us understand that God’s love is not in isolation of punishment (the punishment here is not God doing something evil to us, as some people believe when something bad happens to them that it’s God punishing them. No! That’s a lie of the devil.
God doesn’t do evil to punish and correct us) rather it includes correction and discipline which is coming from a place of love. And this is good for us ultimately as this is God’s way of training us as his loving children to become a better version of ourselves.
God doesn’t do evil to punish and correct us) rather it includes correction and discipline which is coming from a place of love. And this is good for us ultimately as this is God’s way of training us as his loving children to become a better version of ourselves.
Today’s key verse specifically states that if we don’t allow God to correct us when we need it, then it means that we are not really his children and don’t belong to his family. Imagine you being a parent and you see your child do wrong and you turn a blind eye and don’t correct your child in love, letting them know the consequences of their action. Eventually, when that child gets into trouble, he or she is likely to resent you because you never corrected or punished them in love.
Therefore, as you go about your daily business and activities today, do not resist God’s discipline in areas where he has been trying to correct you. Remember verse 11 says “Being punished isn’t enjoyable while it is happening—it hurts! But afterward, we can see the result, a quiet growth in grace and character.” You can be sure that when you allow and submit to God’s correction you are bound to be overwhelmed by his love and blessings!
Remember, in God correcting you is also his way of showing you his unwavering love!!!
Do have a blessed and fruitful day!
God bless you!
