The Discipline of God

“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 whom his father does not discipline?
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.

This year of college (being my sophomore year) has had its share of trials, sorrow, dark nights and hard days. I have seen the Lord press into my life and absolutely destroy me of myself and restore me again and again unto HIM. This kind of refining in my soul has been difficult but not absent from experiencing the love of God.

I heard said once, that “…if you think this whole walking with Jesus thing was going to be easy then you are completely wrong…” – I’ve bought into that lie far too many times, which allows me to fall into traps of accusation of, disappointment in and indifference toward the Almighty God. Yes, I am guilty of blasphemy in all of this and if it were not for the eternal grace of Jesus, I would be owned by my shame in it all.

But I know that I love and serve a God that is “…greater than our hearts…” (1 John 3:20). This gives me great confidence in the work of Christ, the sanctification of the Holy Spirit and the DISCIPLINE OF THE FATHER! I hope in the joy of God.
I have come to see that the refining of our hearts is not an iron-fisted, angry and frustrated response of God toward our human condition, but rather a great and deep expression of God’s love for His children and His invitation into great joy and delight!

I’ll admit it, I don’t like it. God’s breaking us of ourselves hurts…a lot! But if I proceed to be son that does not receive discipline from my Father, than I am an illegitimate child.

I’ve come to understand this in the context of relationships that I have with others, and have gratitude for my parent’s love expressed in their discipline. If your child is running in the streets, is it not a great love that compels you to rebuke and discipline them. We know that discipline of God trains us in godliness and is even more a great expression of the Father’s love and care His children.
So please God, discipline me…for I am futile in my own ways.

Friends, do not take lightly the discipline of our Father. I would be lying if I said that it did not hurt, but God intends it to lead us into joy – into His presence.

“…if anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” – Jesus (John 7:37b)

May those who read this see the eternal and unsurpassable love our God and in His disciplining of those that belong to Him. He is leading us into joy, leading us to delighting in Him. This is the appointed end of those in Christ, to find infinite joy and complete satisfaction in God.

Grace and Peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.
To Him be the Glory and Honor and Power FOREVER!