“The Lord corrects those he loves, as parents correct a child of whom they are proud” ( Proverbs 3:12).
When kids have just joined school and start taking lessons they make lots of errors. However, to their delight there is always a teacher to correct them. Unlike most adults, kids generally welcome correction. In fact, most would be dissapointed, if not corrected. Much as they love red ticks in their books, the cross mark too is also welcome. It shows interest in their efforts and paves way for improvement.
Just as with kids, we have also a Father who is in the habit of correcting us. Proverbs 3:12: “For whom the Lord loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights”. Parents are admonished, “Correct your son, and he will give you comfort; He will also delight your soul” ( Proverbs 29:17). The word of God among others is there to correct us: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” ( 2 Tim 3:16).
God has many ways in which he corrects us. Sometimes it is a case of a Nathan who comes into our lives and tactfully brings to our attention a matter we were blind to ( 2 Samuel 12). Sometimes its an open rebuke, as when Jesus told off Peter: “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” ( Mathew 16:23).
Like kids at school, not only should we expect correction but appreciate it. This is because, “For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child” ( Hebrews 12:6).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as you correct those whom you love to save them from ruin, today I pray that I welcome your correction in my life for my good, this I pray in Jesus’s name.
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02/05/2024 - 03/05/2024 All day“That is why for Christ’s sake I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10)
We all crave to be blessed in life. But was there a believer who was so blessed beyond any circumstances without experiencing some sort of discomfort, in one way or another! A person may apparently be blessed in every single way yet have one troubling matter that constantly drives him down to his knees.
The one mightily blessed with riches may have a family situation that leaves him ever on edge. Someone who seems to be at the height of his profession may be living with an ailment that keeps him ever on tentacles. The one blessed with abundant health might from time to time be dealing with financial woes.
Why do such troubling situations plague even believers? One explanation could be found in the Apostle Paul’s life. Called into ministry and endowed with many gifts, including amazing revelations from above, yet he had a matter that constantly drove him on his knees. “Therefore in order to keep me from being conceited, I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan, to torment me” (2 Cor 12: 7).
Paul would often cry out to God to free him of this particularly troubling matter. But the Lord came back with, “My grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in your weakness” (2 Cor 12: 9).
The comfort of this lesson is that God is completely aware of whatever might be ever troubling us. Moreover, it could be purposely there, that we constantly place our faith in Him, other than relying on our strength and resources, especially as He blesses us in other uplifting ways.
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray that whatever matter is constantly troubling me, I know it is for a purpose and you are in total control, to bless me even more, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
