July 15, 2011 (Isaiah 22-24; Hebrews 12)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” Hebrews 12:11 NASB
Observation: Discipline is not fun. It’s not meant to be. It’s meant to break the attitude and change the direction of the recipient. If discipline is administered and there is no change, what was the purpose? When we are disciplined, it is meant for our good. To be trained by discipline is to receive correction and instruction and put into action what we’ve learned. When we embrace discipline and are trained by it, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness in our lives.
Application: I can’t say I enjoy the “lump in my throat” feeling I get when being disciplined. It’s not comfortable. But I can honestly say, discipline has turned out to be my friend. I’ve seen the results of peace enter my life as I embraced, learned and applied it’s wisdom. Also, I’m assured God loves me as His son, because He loves me enough to spend the time to discipline me. Not out of anger or rage, but from a love that surpasses my understanding.
Prayer: Father, thank you this morning for loving me enough to discipline me. Help me to embrace and learn from the discipline You see fit to bring into my life. May I learn to choose wisdom as my teacher, instead of consequences. May the training I receive from discipline result in peaceful righteousness in my life. In Jesus name, Amen.