Psalm 119:65-72

“I used to wander off until You disciplined me; but now I closely follow Your Word.” I remember as a kid, having a sleep over one Friday after school with a friend. My dad had a house on the beach, so we went to look for shells. As kids do, we got caught up in talking and walking in one direction and by the time we realized we needed to head home, it was starting to get dark. We were still a long way from home, and by the time we made it back, it was completely dark. Needless to say, my parents were in a panic. They were not the “spare the rod spoil the child” kind of folks, and I got a spanking I will never forget. Honestly, as a 10 year old, I really didn’t understand what I had done that was so egregious, but as a parent, I understand it now. And you know what? It worked! I never did that again.

As the psalmist states: “My suffering was good for it taught me to pay attention to Your decrees.” Yep! I can attest! Thankfully, I am a quick learner for the most part, and dislike being disciplined. When things in life get a little haywire, my first thought is usually, “Okay Lord, what are you trying to teach me here.” Discipline is meant to be corrective. Thank God I had parents that were not afraid to discipline me, and thank God He is not afraid to discipline me either.

As the Scripture says:

“And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭5‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/116/heb.12.5-11.NLT

I think it’s almost humorous that the author seems to imply that we should be encouraged by the fact that God disciplines us for our good. It is not usually my first thought when it happens, but upon reflection, I realize that God, in His love for us, disciplines us for our benefit—so that we won’t perish in our rebellion.

Truly, His instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.