DEVOTION ~ ACCEPT CHASTENING!

Theme: Accept Chastening 

Text: Hebrews 12:7-12

7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

It's  sometimes hard to accept discipline but when you permit it, you will have a lot to learn from it. Just as our earthly father's chastens us so does our heavenly Father when we go wrong. The chastening is not to draw you away, but rather bring you in as a legitimate child. You know your wrongs and then repent from such acts. The one who corrects you must not become an enemy but a friend whom you should be grateful to for keeping you in God's divine hedge covering. If you'll have to accept and appreciate a mortal for bringing you on track, then you must joyfully also accept the chastening of the Lord. If you endure the chastening, God will deal with you as His child. 

The chastening of the Lord is not just for now, but also in preparing you to enter into His holy presence. What's your response to chastening? Do you get offended and reject it? I'm sure you really make sure the one correcting you has a fair share of the pain. But that shouldn't be so. You need to look at it from the angle of redemption. Sin entices and snares you into darkness but it is only chastening that gives divine awakening. If you are too proud to accept chastening, you'll die in sin. But if you endure the chastening and return to the Lord, you'll be saved. At the time of undergoing a disciplinary sanction, it will feel painful nevertheless, afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness. Making you to have a well established and defined relationship with God. 

If you're also chastening others into light, do it well in love. Don't over judge or escalate the situation, rather bring the peace of God into the problem. Anyone who falls into sin must be seen as weak. And to strengthen such a person, it must be done diligently so as not to draw the person away. Set the the guiding rules well (make straight paths for your feet) not one that will overburden yourself too, if not just as you can't equally abide, the weak will also not stand firm (the lame may be dislocated). Therefore, set guiding rules that can be carried out in accordance to God's will so as to bring healing. It hurts when your evil deeds are brought to light but if you allow for discipline, you will never regret accepting to be corrected.

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for making known to me the essence of Your chastening. Help me to accept it wholeheartedly and do what pleases You. Help me to also bring those going astray into Your presence through love that we may all serve You well in Jesus' name have I prayed. AMEN!