The Sting of Discipline

SCRIPTURE
Hebrews 12:5-12

5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,

“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t give up when he corrects you.
6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?

10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that the limb which is lame will not be put out of joint further, but rather will be healed.


PRAYER

Lord, my friend ______ has felt the heaviness of your discipline in recent days. You have been a loving and firm Father to him. You have shown the strong part of your love to him by using the sting of the consequences that flowed from his actions. Thank you for pressing that pain into his life, and for using that pain to produce the fruit of obedience. Because of his repentance, I ask that over the coming days you would pour a healing balm into his wounds. Refresh him. Give relief. Renew his perspective. Strengthen him. I pray that he would feel your smile as she walks a straight path, and that the memory of the pain of your discipline will keep him from wandering off that path. May he join that honorable band of sinners like King David, who repented, endured, healed, and went on to have an even more precise and powerful impact for you.

ENCOURAGEMENT

Don't give up. Stay close to the Shepherd of your soul. He has healing and hope on your horizon.

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Dave's Life Coaching
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