-June 26, 2023-
Good morning, happy Monday,
“Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole.”
(Job 5:17-18).
There are many things in life that we do or experience that seem bad to us at the time but have good results. Normally it involves things we wouldn’t choose but are needed. For example, having surgery, being out of work, missing a special day with family or friends, being injured, or other difficult things. Others tell us that certain things are good for us like exercise, eating healthy, getting more sleep, etc.
God’s discipline is one thing that is always good for us spiritually. There are times we need God’s hand upon us to correct us and get us back on the right path. So often we need what is called “an attitude adjustment.” God uses people and circumstances to get our attention and correct our behavior. It isn’t easy to go through.
Hebrews 12:11 says, “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Can we really be happy when we are disciplined by the Lord? Yes we can! We should be because God knows what is needed and what is best in our lives.
When we go through difficult and painful things we should always search our hearts and ask the Lord if there is something we’ve said or done that is wrong and what we need to do something about it. We may ask, “Lord, what are you trying to teach me or show me in this situation?” If there isn’t anything at the time, then it is a trial rather a discipline. Both are good for us and produce good results in our lives.
The Lord uses pain for our gain. In our text it says, “He bruises but He binds up; He wounds but His hands make whole.” How we respond to discipline and trials shows our faith and level of spiritual maturity. Sometimes the lessons God teaches us are very hard. We often learn best from our mistakes and the mistakes of others.
The story is told of a father who dropped off his two sons at the mall to purchase new clothes for the new school year. He gave Johnny and Billy the same amount of money to spend and a specific time to be done. Johnny shopped around a bit, bought three pairs of pants, four shirts, and a pair of sneakers. Billy came to the car with one T-shirt and a brand new expensive skateboard. His dad asked him if he was sure he had enough clothes for school, Billy answered back, “No problem, dad.” Before the first day of school, Billy wore a gaping hole in his old sneakers using his foot to stop his skateboard. He asked his dad for a new pair. His dad took him to the garage and taped them up with duct tape. He had to wear his taped shoes for a whole month until he had enough money to buy a new pair. Billy learned his lesson. Sometimes a little pain is good thing.
Let us learn our lessons, and accepting our discipline and correction from the Lord. Have a blessed day. Stay safe always healthy.
Benefiting from chastening and correction, to get back on the right direction,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 