We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Polly Barcol.
Bible Reading:
Jeremiah 10:23-24
23 I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself,
that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.
24 Correct me, O Lord, but in justice;
not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing.
Word:
Jeremiah is asking God to discipline him in these verses. God’s Word tells us that discipline is painful at the time (Hebrews 12:11). So why is Jeremiah asking God to discipline him? I believe, in context, Jeremiah is wanting to avoid destruction.
Discipline, rather than punishment, because discipline by definition is training someone to obey the rules. God is about to let out His wrath on those who don’t obey Him, and Jeremiah wants to be taught how to obey to avoid it.
God’s Word also tells us God disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6) Jeremiah knew God’s discipline would be out of love for him and ultimately out of mercy. Most of us have experienced either being disciplined by our parents or disciplining our own children. Parents discipline children for crossing the street alone, trying to touch something hot, or drinking underage, etc. because they love their children and want to prevent the cruel natural consequences of doing things like these.
It is the same with God, He wants us to avoid the cruel natural consequences of not obeying His laws. It is not an ego trip or power trip. God doesn’t need us to obey to confirm His authority! He DISCIPLINES us out of His LOVE FOR US! Trust God even when the discipline is painful. Trust that His love for you never wavers. And watch your ability to obey get stronger and stronger until you obey more than ever before.
Prayer:
Lord, may I receive your discipline willingly and may it teach me how to obey resulting in deliverance from terrible consequences and the strength to obey more often. In Jesus Name. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Skillwork:
Talk to God honestly about the tendency to not obey. Ask God to reveal His love for you and watch for new revelation.
Bible Verses:
Psalm 144 (ESV)
1 Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;2 he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.3 O LORD, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him?4 Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.5 Bow your heavens, O LORD, and come down! Touch the mountains so that they smoke!6 Flash forth the lightning and scatter them; send out your arrows and rout them!7 Stretch out your hand from on high; rescue me and deliver me from the many waters, from the hand of foreigners,8 whose mouths speak lies and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.9 I will sing a new song to you, O God; upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you,10 who gives victory to kings, who rescues David his servant from the cruel sword.11 Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, whose mouths speak lies and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.12 May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace;13 may our granaries be full, providing all kinds of produce; may our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields;14 may our cattle be heavy with young, suffering no mishap or failure in bearing; may there be no cry of distress in our streets!15 Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD!
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