Day4
Week 16
Hebrews 12
”Fully embrace God’s correction as part of your training, for he is doing what any loving father does for his children. For who has ever heard of a child who never had to be corrected? We all should welcome God’s discipline as the validation of authentic sonship. For if we have never once endured his correction it only proves we are strangers and not sons. And isn’t it true that we respect our earthly fathers even though they corrected and disciplined us? Then we should demonstrate an even greater respect for God, our spiritual Father, as we submit to his life-giving discipline.“
Hebrews 12:7-9 TPT
Cross references
Proverbs 13:24; 19:18;
Numbers 16:22,27:16;
God’s Correction and Discipline
Basic Training
Training for anything is not exactly fun. Our human nature is hardwired to resist any new thing.
Most of us have been through training for a new job or advancement.
It would have required us to learn new procedures, processes and techniques.
Basic training in the military is somewhat different, to say the least and can be compared to training a toddler.
Safety is imperative and in order to keep the soldier or the toddler safe, they have to be trained to follow orders instantly without hesitation because it can be a matter of life or death.
Of course the techniques are different for a soldier and a toddler, but the need for obedience is the same.
As Christ followers, we are both toddlers and soldiers in a sense.
God disciplines us with mercy and kindness through the Holy Spirit who nudges us to forgive others or stop gossiping, etc.
As we grow in the Lord, the discipline looks different.
Remember Jonah?
God redirected him by saving his life from drowning in an unusual way. God disciplined him with love and Jonah submitted to God’s authority.
We are soldiers in God’s army and it is a spiritual battle that we face.
Eternal life or death is on the line.
My sister has a saying that she uses with her children. “Easy way or hard way, it’s your choice?”
God loves us and He knows that our obedience is a matter of life or death.
Humility is the easy way, but our pride may cause us to choose the hard way.
Action Step
Humility training is always in order.
Pray asking God to show you any areas that pride is creeping in.
Submit to God and repent. (This may require you to go to another person and confess a fault or ask forgiveness).
Find a scripture that deals with the area that God brought to your attention and study it. ( I like to get out my M&M’s. Memorize and Meditate)
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