TGIF

Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
The Lord has chastened me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.
Open for me the gates of the righteous;
I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.

Psalm 118:15-19

One of the hardest things about being a parent is watching your kids get hurt. Even harder is giving them the space to be hurt. Allowing them to explore, learn and grow as they encounter the realities of life and begin to understand that actions have consequences. Sometimes I’m even the source of the consequence in the form of discipline. The deepest hope of the parent is one day the child will thank them in spite of the physical and emotional pain.

In some way this points us to the reality of our Heavenly Father. He does not spare us from all evil or from the consequences of our actions. He chastens. As Hebrews 12 puts it, He disciplines us like children.

Why? So that we would grow. So that we would learn. So that we would become more like His perfect child, Jesus Christ. And always with the reminder that God is good, He doesn’t ‘enjoy’ discipline, but He is willing to endure our pain for a time that we might receive the desired outcome, trust and the salvation of our souls. That we would one day walk through the gates of the righteous and give Him thanks.

How good if we can do that now.

For Today:

• Are you hurting at the moment?
• Have you seen the chastening of God in your life or someone else's? How have you seen it grow them?
• Are you able to give thanks to God in the midst of pain?

Pray:

• Praise the Father for His loving discipline of His children. 
• Give thanks for the Son who became for us the perfect Son. 
• Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others endure, grow and even give thanks to God in the midst of suffering.