Do Not Despise the Discipline of the Almighty

"For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." Hebrews 12:10-11

No child I have ever met enjoys being disciplined. I certainly did not. I remember as a young child my parents explaining to me that they had to punish me because they loved me. This seemed completely contradictory to my finite mind...how could discipline be loving? At 24 years old, I am extremely grateful for the times my parents disciplined me and showed me right from wrong. It truly did train and teach me how to live righteously.

After my senior year of college, I went through an extremely difficult season where the Lord graciously upset all of my plans and taught me dependence on Him. At the time, it did not feel joyful, but very sorrowful. And yet, at the end of that year, I remember reading in Psalm 119 and being able to fully agree with the psalmist, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. You are good and do good...It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes." Psalm 119:67-68; 71.

It was through the affliction and discipline of the Lord that I came to truly know Him. It was through a season of sorrow that produced in me the "peaceful fruit of righteousness." What a beautiful truth to know that God disciplines us for our good, to share in His holiness, and to produce in us the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Today, may we allow ourselves to be trained by the Lord and trust that His ways are loving and for our good. 


"Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.For He inflicts pain, and gives relief; He wounds, and His hands also heal." Job 5:17-18.

Discipline and Godliness

"On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."1 Timothy 4:7b-8

Kari Beougher

Our culture today focuses so much attention and media on ways to lengthen life. Eating organically, getting the proper amount of exercise, avoiding certain food, drinks, and habits, etc. We are bombarded with new ways to be as healthy as possible and live life to the fullest extent. And yet, this passage reminds us of how temporary life truly is. Bodily discipline is "only of little profit" with benefits "for the present life."

 Believers certainly have a responsibility to take care of their bodies. However, the discipline of godliness is the only discipline that holds the promise of eternal life. Reading God's Word, prayer, Scripture memorization, worship and service are the only truly lasting disciplines. Godliness is "profitable for all things."

What will we focus our attention on today? What disciplines will occupy our thoughts and time? Today may our relationship with the Lord and pursuit of holiness be our priority.

Passionate Aim

"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only on receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified" (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, New American Standard Bible).

What is your target? Where is your aim? What is your passion?

Aligning our passion with our aim contributes to meeting a goal. In a Christian's life, how does God fit into the picture?  The article "Passionate Aim" by Jaye Martin discusses these things and this verse on www.christianity.com. You can find it by clicking here.

Photo from discoverarchery.org.