When I was in high school I willingly
endured torturous training and discipline.
Everyday for about 3 hours I would run up down stadium steps, lift
weights, run wind sprints, do suicide and fourth quarter drills until I was
exhausted. I hated it - and yet I loved
being able to play into the 3rd overtime during a game and not be
tired. Our coach was a man who believed
in discipline - and he was deadly serious about it. And anyone who was not serious about the
discipline necessary to play ball for him did not make the team. As I was reading in Hebrews 12 the thought
that God disciplines His children came through clearly.
Hebrews 12:5-7
(NET) And have you forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons? “My
son, do not scorn the Lord’s DISCIPLINE
or give up when He CORRECTS you. [6] “For the Lord DISCIPLINES the one he loves and CHASTISES every son he
accepts.” [7] Endure your SUFFERING as DISCIPLINE; God is treating you as sons.
For what son is there that a father does not DISCIPLINE?
I think that in the past I have interpreted these verses
through the eyes of a child who has been disobedient and is suffering
punishment. Certainly punishment for wrongdoing can be part of God’s discipline. The word chastise (vs. 6) means to
punish. Verse seven
reminds us that many times discipline comes in some form of suffering. So in God’s Word discipline also means to correct and instruct. There are times when God is not punishing
rather He is shaping and molding us through His discipline.
Speaking of human parents the writer to the Hebrews says...
Hebrews 12:10-11
(NET) ...they DISCIPLINED us for a little while as seemed good to them, but HE
does so for OUR benefit, that we may share His holiness. [11] Now ALL DISCIPLINE
seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it PRODUCES the fruit of peace
and righteousness for those TRAINED by it.
Good parents do their best to discipline
their children, but God like the perfect parent -OR- coach brings DISCIPLINE into our lives SO THAT there
will be a harvest of godliness in our lives.
Once I started seeing the things God brought into my life as an
incentive for growth rather than punishment it
changed my perspective. I was much more willing to embrace those hard
things because they were for MY good. The discipline my coach forced on me trained
me so that I could play at full speed all the way to the end of the game. God TRAINS us through the discipline of
painful things SO THAT we will be able to FINISH the race which He has place
before us WELL. (Heb. 12.1-2)
PRAYER: Lord God, please help me to remember that all the things You
are doing in my life is for my benefit and good. You want me to bring You honor and glory by
the way I think, speak, and act. Lord, I
long to finish each day well - in a way that really does honor You. Help me to see the hard things that come
along as part of your discipline in MY LIFE to strengthen me and encourage
me. Thank You.
