email : Webview : Duane Brooks - Every Day with Jesus

September 13, 2018

Job 5:17-18

Blessed is the one whom God corrects;
so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
For he wounds, but he also binds up;
he injures, but his hands also heal.

New International Version (NIV)

                 To this day, I cannot bring myself to use Ivory soap. Something about the taste sets me off. One of my early memories of sin involved the wrong words spoken in the wrong place at the wrong time. As a kindergartner my mother introduced me to Ivory soap. It was memorable because mom was such a loving person. It was hard to imagine why she would do such a thing!

                Job refused to curse God when he experienced enormous loss in his life. Instead he blessed the name of the Lord who gives and takes away. Then, with friends like Job’s he did not need enemies. As he tried to process his pain, he acknowledged that God sometimes disciplines his children. At this point, he is unaware of any mistake on his part, but his words about God’s discipline are helpful to us. God may discipline us through pain, but he works to heal his children.

                Later, the writer of Hebrews in the New Testament echoes these thoughts. Endure hardship in your life as discipline. We do not despise God’s discipline because he only disciplines those he loves. Further, God is a perfect parent. Our discipline of our children may depend on our mood and the day we have had. But God only, ever, always disciplines his children for our good to produce his righteousness in us. If we can trust God with our eternity, we can trust him to lovingly lead us to the places he wants us to be.

Pray with me:

Father, we confess that we do not understand the pain in our world and in our own lives. We prefer pain-free living. Help us to trust you to use the most painful moments in our lives to fulfill your purpose for us. We want to be happy, but we need to be holy. Fill us with the joy that comes to those who trust you in times of trial. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This year we focus our Every Day with Jesus readings on Jesus’ story. With references to Tallowood's Read Through the Bible in 2018 daily reading plan, let's focus our undivided attention on Jesus and follow where he lead. He will not fail. Neither will we!
Joyfully,
Duane

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