Have you ever been disciplined? Have you ever had to discipline your children?
If we are honest, I’m sure we would say Yes to both. (If you don’t have children yet, this opportunity will eventually arise.) Often, when I have to discipline my children, I see many examples of my younger self in them. I won’t take any opportunity here to talk about my better half. Discipline is not fun, but it is necessary. As I was reading Psalm 94 for today, there were certain words that jumped off the page for me as this Psalm focuses on rightful judgment and discipline.
In my NIV version, the words “proud,” “arrogantly,” “boasting,” and “vanity” all come together for a common theme. Selfishness! It’s about me. In my children’s case, it’s about them without consideration for others. We often have many opportunities to teach.
Psalm 94:13-14 Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord,
the one you teach from your law;
13 you grant them relief from days of trouble,
till a pit is dug for the wicked.
Just like a loving parent that has to discipline their children, God sometimes disciplines us. My example would include yelling at our kids not to run out in the road for the 10th time and have them sit out to learn their lesson. Sometimes God disciplines us to help us grow. How has he done this with you in your years? Whatever form it may take for you or your children, this discipline is never enjoyable, but it is necessary to teach us right from wrong.
Maybe you have felt God’s hand of correction lately. My selfish reaction to a recent situation that didn’t go the way I planned was a perfect example of my shortcomings. Accept God’s correction as proof that He loves you. Let it remind you that God urges us to follow His path instead of our own each day. So one day, we will be in His Kingdom together.
As you enter into this day, let’s watch our pridefulness, the boasting, the vanity that we can all fall trap to when we lose sight of our God that is standing right by our side.
Hebrews 12:6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.Hebrew 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
The Discipline of the Lord – Charles Spurgeon