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"For Our Good"
Message
summary:
Consider a
tremendous
truth that we
do well to
settle deep in
our hearts: "God
disciplines us
for our good".
There is an
intentional
purpose in
God's design
to bring about
good results
from His
discipline.
This
purposeful
good result is
"that we
may share in
His holiness".
But during the
season of
discipline it
can sure be
hard!
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
"It is for
discipline
that you have
to endure. God
is treating
you as sons.
For what son
is there whom
his father
does not
discipline? If
you are left
without
discipline, in
which all have
participated,
then you are
illegitimate
children and
not sons.
Besides this,
we have had
earthly
fathers who
disciplined us
and we
respected
them. Shall we
not much more
be subject to
the Father of
spirits and
live? For they
disciplined us
for a short
time as it
seemed best to
them, but He
disciplines us
for our good,
that we may
share His
holiness. For
the moment all
discipline
seems painful
rather than
pleasant, but
later it
yields the
peaceful fruit
of
righteousness
to those who
have been
trained by it"
(Hebrews
12:7-11).
In
yesterday's
message we
wrote about
the vital need
for fathers to
discipline
their
children. Our
heavenly
Father also
disciplines
His children.
Consider a
tremendous
truth that we
do well to
settle deep in
our hearts: "God
disciplines us
for our good".
There is an
intentional
purpose in
God's design
to bring about
good results
from His
discipline.
This
purposeful
good result is
"that we
may share in
His holiness".
But during the
season of
discipline it
can sure be
hard!
We know at
times His
discipline
(not to be
confused with
punishment)
may certainly
be unpleasant
or even
painful. This
verse
expresses a
simple truth
common to all.
Even a young
child can
attest to it:
"No
discipline
seems pleasant
at the time,
but painful".
The context
draws a
parallel
between the
discipline of
a loving
earthly father
and that of
our loving
heavenly
Father.
"Later on,
however, it
produces a
harvest of
righteousness
and peace for
those who have
been trained
by it".
Especially
note the two
words "later
on".
"Later on" is
unspecific as
to the timing
and makes the
season of
discipline so
very hard.
Many are
waiting for
that "later
on" to come to
pass but an
exact time is
not given. In
the Book of
Galatians Paul
shares this
truth as well,
"Let us not
become weary
in doing good,
for at the
proper time (later
on) we will
reap a harvest
if we do not
give up"
(Galatians
6:9).
God's
Word is a firm
foundation and
His promises
are steadfast.
"God
disciplines us
for our good".
Lawrence
Richards
comments on
this passage:
But He does explain, carefully, what He is doing. God is treating us as any good parent treats his own children. God is disciplining us “for our good, that we may share in His holiness.” Don’t expect an economic benefit from the loss of a job, an emotional benefit from the loss of a loved one, or a health benefit from a serious illness. But do expect a spiritual benefit from any hardship. If you and I submit to God, He will work in our lives, and through suffering we will grow in holiness. Even more, we will 'reap a rich harvest of righteousness and peace' from the training hardship is intended to provide."
Some
of you are in
the very midst
of a
discipline
that is by no
means
pleasant. In
fact you may
be wincing
with pain even
as you read
this message.
Perhaps you
feel let down
and are
experiencing
great
disappointment.
You just can't
figure out
what God is up
to in your
life. You may
even feel
forsaken. At
this time you
don't have any
idea how your
situation will
ever work out.
(I've
experienced
all the
above.)
God is working
for our good.
Consider the
words "later
on" and the
wonderful
promise of God
that follows.
Let it
minister to
your heart,
renew your
hope and
further
encourage you
to diligently
wait for the
"later on" to
come to pass
(whether it's
in our
lifetime or
after we've
joined the
saints in
heaven).
The promise is
this: Our
heavenly
Father's
discipline
"produces a
harvest of
righteousness
and peace for
those who have
been trained
by it".
Be
encouraged
today, Hebrews
3:13.
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, when
our earthly
fathers
discipline us,
it is intended
for immediate
correction and
future
application.
At the time it
is painful and
a humiliation
of sorts. And
with You,
Father, Your
discipline is
not pleasant
at the time
but
painful,
yet it
transforms our
thinking,
shapes our
values, and
adapts our
behavior so
that we become
more and more
like Christ.
May
faithfulness,
self-control,
endurance,
patience and
character
traits be
evidenced in
our lives as
we undergo
discipline and
training in
righteousness
so that we
share in Your
holiness. We
pray for Your
work to be
done in our
lives because
we know that
"later on it
will produce a
harvest of
righteousness
and peace".
Amen.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
Why God would let me face
this painful circumstance
All I have to cling to is
His word and His name;
But that's enough so I will trust
It's for my good and for His glory,
This trial's not the end of the story,
There's a bigger picture God alone can see,
It will take me through this sorrow
For I know He holds tomorrow,
And He assures me,
I love the Lord and He has promised me,
He'll work all things for good,
through my tears I believe,
and though my heart aches, He makes no mistakes
the suffering that has come,
I'm willing now to say,
'Lord not my will but thine be done'
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version and a variety of other versions.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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