Punishment and Love
Hebrews 12:5&6
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.”
Sometimes in life we have questions…questions for God about hard things…bad things…unexpected things…life changing things. Many times those questions will remain unanswered. But, in the questioning we can do something. And it’s a big something. Seek Him…and not the answer. By doing that I am learning over and over that He is what I want…not answers. And the more I learn of Him…the bigger and mightier He becomes.
Which brings me to this passage in Hebrews. It starts out by saying that it should actually ENCOURAGE us to know that God is going to discipline us. I can just imagine what my kids would of said, if when they were young, I told them that they should be HAPPY that I was going to discipline them throughout their young lives. That it should be a source of joy to them. I can remember my dad telling me that it always hurt him worse than it was hurting me when I got it with the switch. I never believed him…that switch hurt pretty bad. But, I don’t ever remember him saying that it should make me happy that he was doing it. Verse 10 in this chapter says,“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.” When I disciplined my kids and when my daddy disciplined me, it was always because WE thought we were doing what was best for the child. This verse says that when God disciplines us…it is always for OUR good. He is always looking for ways to make us more like Himself…always looking out for us…thinking of us. Even in the discipline.
The word for “punish” in this passage comes from the root word which means to squeeze, consume or devour. In our times of discipline we can feel as if we are being consumed by the discipline itself. Paul’s thorn in the flesh, the thing that God allowed in his life to keep him humble, was something that was there daily. Always reminding him of his dependence on the Lord…and the love of his Lord…for him…personally. Tailor made just for Paul.
That is the wonderful thing of discipline. (wonderful…really? YES!) Even though it is painful…hard…and brings questions…to KNOW that the discipline is hand designed by the creator of the universe for ME is almost more than I can comprehend. That He loves me enough to desire that I be more like Him…whatever it takes…how ever long it takes…requires that in love He punish me. Isn’t that strange? But, as parents we understand that principle. We do the same thing for our children…but the discipline we use will never bring about righteousness. It may bring right behavior…but not true righteousness. Only God’s discipline can accomplish that great work.
So then, why is it so hard for me to accept His discipline and sometimes punishment into my life? This verse tells me something very important to remember and hang onto. DO NOT LOSE HEART. When I am entering into a season of hardness…discipline…things that threaten my faith…things that play with my emotions…my out look on life…and my view of God Himself…it would be very easy to lose heart and give up. But, if I stop and give up in the middle of the battle…I lose more than heart. I can lose my faith…my being formed into the image of Christ…my witness…my purpose. There is ALWAYS a reason for God’s discipline and I MUST go through it…get to the other side of it…not lose heart…so I can, according to verse 10, share in His holiness. That simply means…looking more and more like Him…in a world that so desperately needs to see Him more and more.
When I was a kid my parents used a switch to discipline. Sometimes I had to go cut it myself (I know that sounds harsh, but I always made a game out of it and tried to find one that wouldn’t hurt as bad). When our kids were small, Rick and I used a ping pong paddle and a wooden spoon. I’m sure you may have used something else. God’s discipline for us is no different. We are each unique and special to Him and our discipline will be just that…unique and special. Designed for us by a Father that loves us so much He will not let the thing “slide”, but will address it with a wooden spoon or a switch…or a million other methods…telling us all the while…don’t lose heart child, I love you.
Sending much love,
Debbie
