God's Discipline

I remember my early days as a church worker. One of my greatest challenges was meeting up with the 7 a.m. resumption (start) time marked for church workers on Sundays. Before I became a church worker, 9 a.m. was my church resumption time on Sundays. Then, I had the luxury of time to stretch on my bed and do most of my morning chores. But as I became more committed to God's work by joining the church's workforce, brand new rules were set before me to guide me as a church worker. One of those workers' rules gave no room to lateness and truancy. I must confess that it wasn't a joyous chastening for me at the beginning.

Hebrews 12:11 – For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness — in conformity to God's will in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God]. (AMPC)

Beloved, this text tells us that there isn't any discipline that is sweet when applied at the beginning, but later on, as we grow through every discipline meted out to us, we will become better persons at the end, and we will prosper in every area of our lives.

2 Timothy 2:3 – You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (NKJV)

One sure way that God uses in making soldiers out of the ones whom He loves is through discipline.

Hebrews 12:6 – For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives. (ESV)

To become what God has spoken of us in Christ Jesus, we must be ready for His discipline. We must get ready to leave our comfort zone and become soldiers of Christ, and we can achieve results only by yielding ourselves to spiritual discipline. Most importantly, we must humble ourselves before God almighty, because only humility will enable us accept every discipline that He would mete out to us.

1 Peter 5:6 – Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you. (AMPC)

We must cast away pride and accept every discipline as from God Himself in His gracious attempts to make us what He has spoken of us in Christ Jesus.

Friend, is God trying to discipline you? One great mistake any growing Christian will make is to see God's discipline as punishment. God loves us so much, so do not feel punished, and do not be rebellious either. Surrender to His discipline and watch yourself grow into what He has destined you to be. Hallelujah!

Pray with me:

Prayer: Father, I thank You for Your love towards me and my family. I thank You for lessons learned thus far in my walk with You. Today, I surrender to every discipline of Yours, and I pray for the grace to obey and to do Your will forever. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.