Wednesday March 14, 2012

Read Deuteronomy 8:4-5, Hebrews 12:5-13

 

Verse 4 and 5 of Deuteronomy 8 may seem a rather odd couplet but the presence of vs 4 really does give comfort. This verse negates any claim or complaint that God is a mean, uncaring God who left his people in the desert because of their sinfulness. Rather, God walked with them through the wilderness and provided for them each and every step of the way. God watched over them so that their feet did not swell

and their shoes did not wear out.

 

Verse 5 has to be read in a totally positive light. God disciplines His children. He disciplines those He loves. The image we have of negative discipline, of angry parents abusively smacking their children, of harsh and cruel discipline, has to be removed. God loves His children and lovingly disciplines His children.

 

You and I can confidently see all hardship (life, finances, uni or school, work, relational and so on) as God’s hand of discipline in our lives. It doesn’t necessarily mean we’ve sinned or angered God. It means that God loves us and is working in us to produce something positive and Jesus-like. Every year I prune my fruit trees and not because I hate them! It’s not because they’ve done something against me or caused me anger or harm. The pruning, as painful as it is, is so that they grow much more fruit. Through painful and trying times, God is pruning you and causing you to bear much more fruit.

 

Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Hallelujah!

 

Prayer:

¥ Praise God and thank Him for being a loving God who is willing and ready to discipline us for our good. Thank God that during the tough times in your life He has disciplined you.

¥ Praise the Lord that He is a God of love who doesn’t let us wallow or drown in our sins. Praise God that He disciplines us for our good, for our eternal welfare! Praise God that He loves us enough not to leave us alone.

¥ Pray for our brothers and sisters in Myanmar who are experiencing persecution for their faith. Pray especially for the Karen people. Ask God to equip these believers and to make them bright lights for Jesus’ love