Walking with the Wise #109: Loved by the Lord

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
 

but he who hates reproof is stupid.” 

—Proverbs 12:1 

Any parent knows that if they love their child, they will discipline them. Discipline is different than punishment. Punishment is retribution for bad behavior, while discipline is meant to correct bad behavior. Trusting in Christ means that we are His children (John 1:12), and that we are subject to His discipline. As it says in the book of Hebrews,

“And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by Him.
For the Lord disciplines the one He loves,
and chastises every son whom He receives.’

It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whose father does not discipline him? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 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 12:5-11.

If you are experiencing God’s discipline right now, then know that you are loved! God loves you and is disciplining you to make you more like Himself! He is remaking you—just like a potter with his clay. He is reaching into you with His loving hand to hollow you out so that you might be of greater use for Him!

Don’t despise God’s discipline! To despise any discipline is foolish! Discipline, though painful, is meant to correct us for greater use in the Master’s hand!

Are you experiencing God’s loving hand right now? Do you feel like you are on the potter’s wheel? Don’t fight it; submit to His loving hand and let Him shape and hone you for His glory and your joy. Amen.