5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son."
Often we think of discipline as a spanking or a harsh word. Is this what God does to rebuke us? When praying for clarity on this, I felt God explaining that discipline is actually His way of guiding, directing, and protecting. Then I saw a vision of a young child about to touch a hot stove. What does a loving parent do in this instance? He/she corrects the child by: explaining why it is unsafe to touch the stove, guides the child about how to handle hot things, and, thereby, protects the child from getting hurt.
This is why God provides us with commandments and guidelines for so many issues we face today. It is not with a hateful, punishing hand that He does this. Rather, it is because He loves His precious children so much He wants us to be deeply blessed and to walk in righteousness.
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