GOD’S DISCIPLINE

17 “So, what a blessing when God steps in and corrects you! Mind you, don’t despise the discipline of Almighty God!
18 True, he wounds, but he also dresses the wound; the same hand that hurts you, heals you.
19 From one disaster after another he delivers you; no matter what the calamity, the evil can’t touch you
Job 5:17-19 (MSG)

Do you like to be disciplined? What about time out and being grounded? Not much fun, are they? Sometimes, God, just like our parents, has to discipline us to get our attention. We are doing something wrong or are weak in some area, and he wants to correct us and make us stronger. We can be stubborn and resist God’s work in our lives, just like sheep who don’t always follow their shepherd. But a shepherd will always go after that lamb and bring it back to the flock, even if it doesn’t want to return.

God might allow something painful to happen to you as a way to teach you something or draw you closer to him. But if God allows something like that to happen to you, he will also be there to help you. God loves you more than you can understand and what he wants most is for you to follow him.

Dear Lord, Help me to stay close and listen to what you say. But if I wander too far from you, bring me back to you. Amen.

STREAMS in the DESERT FOR KIDS
L. B. Cowman, updated and revised for today’s reader. Pg. 120.