PROVERBS 3:11-12 – My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.”
THEME OF THE DAY. THE MANIFESTATIONS OF GOD’S LOVE. I want us to think about three things centered on God’s love for us. The last one is the subject matter of today’s nugget.
First, be amazed by the staggering depth of God’s love in giving us His Son the Lord Jesus as our Savior – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Meditate often on John 3:16 to keep our hearts tender before the Lord.
The second thing to ponder about God’s love is the purpose behind it; to conform us into the image of His loving Son – For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers (Romans 8:29). Meditate often on Romans 8:29 to remind us what is behind all the seasons of trials and tough circumstances God brings into our lives; His work of love making us like Jesus.
Our final thought on the love of God is the truth of His chastisement or discipline of His children – And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:5-11).
The first two manifestations of God’s love we are quite okay with. And more than okay! We are overwhelmed with His love that saved us through the Lord Jesus. We equally experience being overwhelmed for God’s glorious “construction project” of forming us into the image of that Son that saved us. However, we might not be so quick to embrace the last manifestation of His love, even though it is tied directly to manifestation number two. Why our reluctance to the discipline of the Lord? It hurts. It involves pain. It brings about suffering in various forms. As creatures who long for comfort and ease, the discipline of the Lord smacks in the face of both. Yet, all acts of God’s discipline are acts of love. Hurt, pain, and suffering are the most effective means of the Lord purging our selfishness and promoting obedience that leads to holiness. Read that again, and then make sure we remember the love of God that saves us and conforms us is also the love of God at work disciplining us for our good and His glory! In learning to respond to discipline like this, we will also be overwhelmed with joy and thanksgiving for this manifestation of His love.
PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for Your love that sought me, works in me, and will never let me remain the same.”
QUOTE: “God’s love is not some mindless emotional expression but is purposeful, affectionate, and always at work in us.”
Because of Him,
Pastor Jim