Accepting Discipline

Deuteronomy 8:5 (NET) - Be keenly aware that just as a parent disciplines his child, so the Lord your God disciplines you.

God made his people wander in the wilderness for forty years.

But God never abandoned them.

When they were hungry, God gave them manna to eat.

Their clothing never wore out.

Their feet never swelled.

Wandering was God’s way of disciplining His people.

Before they could move forward, they had to learn discipline.

Yet during this period of discipline, God still provided for them.

The same was true for the followers of Christ.

They too had to learn discipline.

In fact, if you look closely, you can see the word disciple rooted in the word discipline.

Christ taught his disciples.

But His teaching was not limited to words.

Christ also taught them by example.

Just prior to the Passover feast, Christ washed their feet.

John 13:15 (NET) - For I have given you an example—you should do just as I have done for you.

Like God’s people, we too will face difficulty.

But it is during such times that God disciplines us.

And during such times we must remember that God still provides for us.

As we read scripture, we can learn from the words of Christ.

As importantly, we can learn from His example.

Even the best of us wanders away from how we are meant to live.

And that is when we require discipline.

But, despite adversity, God remains a constant source of compassion and love.

And following the example of Christ is the best means of returning to where we need to be.

It also allows us to share the love and compassion of God with those around us.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 8, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, July 15, 2022