My Daily Pause

My child, do not reject the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t get angry when he corrects you.
The Lord corrects those he loves,
just as parents correct the child they delight in. – Proverbs 3:11-12 NCV

God’s discipline might be one of the most under taught subjects today. Why would God discipline his children? Because he loves them!

The Hebrew writer quotes directly from these verses in Hebrews 12:5-6. He shows us that chastisement comes completely from the love of God. Through Hebrews 5:3-11 we see that God cares enough to:

• Help us correct our faults
• Strengthen our faith
• Promote our welfare

We also see how we should respond:

• We are not to despise God for it
• We must submit to it
• We must be exercised by the purpose of it

Sometimes we get a little too self-dependent and it takes a little shakeup to get right with God again. When we are challenged, we can be joyful for the Christian strength we will gain rather than feel sorry for ourselves. (James 1:2-4) In the end, God simply wants continual growth and service dedicated to him.

Daily Bible reading for May 5

Proverbs 3:1-12
Deuteronomy 6
Hosea 2:2-23
2 Timothy 4:9-22

Those who do not control themselves are like a city whose walls are broken down. – Proverbs 25:28 NCV

This is a reference to self-control – A lack of discipline exposes one to all the problems the problems of life the same way an unprotected city was open to being sacked. The Proverb writer placed a lot of importance on rearing children with boundaries, this saying being the results of failing to do so.