Better Promises : WK 6 - TUE
Hebrews 12:7-12
As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?
For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.
Sports movies are the best. Especially when the story is about the down-and-out unlikely hero who starts the movie weak and finishes strong and comes out victorious. When the final goal is scored, the finish-line tape is broken or the rival hits the deck you just want to jump out of your seat and yell at the top of your lungs.
But that’s not my favorite part of these movies. You know what part I always look forward to? The training montage.Those are the most exciting and iconic moments of the movie. Who can ever forget Rocky running down the streets of Philadelphia being chased by a group of kids?. Or Danielsan’s Wax On, Wax Off technique? Or Mulan training to be a soldier? Or Bruce Wayne learning to become Batman?
What all these characters have in common is that they all had to decide to be disciplined. They all had to go through rigorous training. They couldn’t become the victors if they didn’t go through the pain that comes with discipline. In other words, for them to be champions they couldn’t just sit on the couch snacking while binging Netflix (which I may have done last night, regrettably).
The word used in this passage for discipline could be translated Discipline, instruction, training or education. I believe that God is doing all of those things to us as we journey with him, and at times it is a painful process. Transformation is rarely without discomfort, in fact, it’s almost guaranteed. But God does this because he loves us. We are his children and God wants the best for his kids. And that means there are times when we will be in that training montage, spiritually speaking. It won’t be easy, but it will be awesome and lead us to victory.
As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?
For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.
Sports movies are the best. Especially when the story is about the down-and-out unlikely hero who starts the movie weak and finishes strong and comes out victorious. When the final goal is scored, the finish-line tape is broken or the rival hits the deck you just want to jump out of your seat and yell at the top of your lungs.
But that’s not my favorite part of these movies. You know what part I always look forward to? The training montage.Those are the most exciting and iconic moments of the movie. Who can ever forget Rocky running down the streets of Philadelphia being chased by a group of kids?. Or Danielsan’s Wax On, Wax Off technique? Or Mulan training to be a soldier? Or Bruce Wayne learning to become Batman?
What all these characters have in common is that they all had to decide to be disciplined. They all had to go through rigorous training. They couldn’t become the victors if they didn’t go through the pain that comes with discipline. In other words, for them to be champions they couldn’t just sit on the couch snacking while binging Netflix (which I may have done last night, regrettably).
The word used in this passage for discipline could be translated Discipline, instruction, training or education. I believe that God is doing all of those things to us as we journey with him, and at times it is a painful process. Transformation is rarely without discomfort, in fact, it’s almost guaranteed. But God does this because he loves us. We are his children and God wants the best for his kids. And that means there are times when we will be in that training montage, spiritually speaking. It won’t be easy, but it will be awesome and lead us to victory.
- What has been the hardest part of following Jesus?
- How have you seen God disciplining you?
- Where in your spiritual life have you seen the most growth?
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