The past couple of days we have been having trouble with my son throwing fits and wanting his own way. It seemed like my husband had to give Little Man a lot of 'talks' tonight at church, and it didn't end when we got home either. My husband felt bad that he had to get on to Little Man so much and said 'You know what, Little Man, I love you.' As soon as the words came out of his mouth, our son ran into his arms. Love, pure love.
I was struck with how much we should be like that with God. When we step out of His will or stray from His commands, He disciplines us as a father would. When discipline comes, though painful, it should make us want to get closer to the Lord. He desires us to come, running into His arms and be in closer communion with Him.
"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.
nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”
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
I pray the next time that the Lord gives me a 'talking to', that instead of being annoyed or upset, I come running into His loving arms!
