Thur, 12/13/18, "Day of Praise"
"For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men." - Lamentations 3:31-33
I am thankful for my parents, athletic coaches, Boy Scout leaders, school teachers, pastors, Sunday School teachers, job supervisors, grandparents and anyone else that God worked through to bring the grief of discipline into my life as a child.
All of them made me a better person through honest, pruning love.
Bishops, Church Councils, bosses, Elder Boards, Personnel Committees, and other wise friends in Christ do the same for me as an adult.
They speak truth that hurts to the end of shaping me into the likeness of Christ.
Today is Thursday. We don't usually get excited on any day, let alone weekdays, to hear truth that hurts.
But it seems to me that we're blessed to have anyone in our lives, be it God or a human being, who is willing to love us enough to tell us what we probably don't want to hear because their words will truly make us better.
In that vein, as we read the two Bible passages below, let's pause and give thanks for people who are willing to love us enough to tell us what we probably don't want to hear because their words will truly make us better.
"If a man pampers his servant from youth, he will bring grief in the end." - Proverbs 29:21
"And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: 'My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.' Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 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." - Hebrews 12:5-11
"For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men." - Lamentations 3:31-33
Praise God!
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