I have always hated the word
“stupid” until suddenly one morning I found a very appropriate use for it in
God’s Word. “Whoever loves discipline
loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid” (Proverbs 12:1 NIV). This
verse states that those who love discipline also love knowledge. The very fact
that I seek knowledge in the Word doesn’t necessarily mean that I love correction.
If I want to grow in His grace and be trained by His Word, I have to live what I’ve
read. There is a definite difference between knowing what to do and then doing
it. Doing it means I’m submitted to His will. Living what I have learned
reveals that the knowledge He has imparted has made a difference. To hate His
correction makes me a fool. To love discipline means I am teachable.
“A rebuke impresses a man of
discernment more that a hundred lashes a fool” (Proverbs 17:10 NIV). Am I a
person of spiritual discernment? Or am I so spiritually dense that I have to
receive one hundred lashes when I need to make a change in my life? What must
God actually do to get my attention? “If you had responded to my rebuke,” God
says, “I would have poured out my heart to you, and made my thoughts known to
you,” God (Proverbs 1:23, NIV). He wants
to pour out His heart to me! If I want to receive His knowledge that makes a
difference in my life, I can’t be closed to His lesson. In fact, if I do close
myself to His lesson, I have given Him a spiritual slap in the face. What exactly
has He offered to give me? His body broken for me. His blood poured out in
sacrifice. His heart. I can’t discern
His thoughts without experiencing His cross. I can’t understand His
resurrection without understanding the costly price He paid.
“You have forgotten the word of
encouragement that addresses you as sons: ‘My son, do not make light of the
Lord’s discipline, and do not lost heart when he rebukes you. Because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and punishes everyone he accepts as a son’” (Hebrews 12:5-6, NIV). Losing heart
means being crushed in spirit. Losing heart means that I might give up before the
goal is even in sight. God instructs me not to make light of His correction and
not to lose heart, but to persevere. He corrects me because I belong to Him. His
discipline is His encouragement that He sees His best in me.
Lord,
I want to be spiritually attuned to your voice, and not in need of one hundred
lashes. Forgive me for the times that I have ignored you. I sometimes lose
heart when I am disciplined. I allow it to make me bitter instead of spurring
me on to greater heights in you. When I need to be disciplined, Lord, I want to
learn your lesson. Lord Jesus, never let me forget that your reward follows correction,
or that you discipline me because you love me as your child. Dying to self means
that I learn to live for you. Whatever it takes, Lord. Whatever I need.
©2017 Lynn Lacher
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