In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. (Hebrews 12: 1-7)
Jesus has been talking to me this morning about discipline from Hebrews 12 and Proverbs 3.
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11)
Discipline is evidence that we are sons and daughters of God.
So the fruit of a disciplined life is peace and righteousness for the believer. A life that is pleasing to God and releases a harvest of peace.
I put on a heap of weight from the anxiety medication I started taking after my accident.
Much prayer and frustration and a change of doctor put me on a new brew that doesn’t have the same metabolic effects. So I signed up to Weight Watchers (not an ad) and lost 30 kilograms over about 18 months. It required discipline to keep to my daily “points” budget and I fell off the wagon a few times but the results did come.
Slowly I’m learning that if I blow my ‘points’ budget, the weight will creep back on and undo my disciplined effort. I complained to God: “it’s not fair! Why do I put on weight so easily!”.
But the Lord disciplines those he loves. There is less pressure on my joints. My heart doesn’t have to work so hard. My HBA1C numbers are low (diabetes test). I had a whole bunch of tests done and today; I’m very healthy. I bought new clothes and everything fits better but to be honest, that’s secondary to the health benefits.
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity. (Proverbs 3: 1-2)
God wants to prolong my years and keep me healthy. God doesn’t want me to suffer with heart disease and diabetes and joint pain. So I stay on the Weight Watchers. Even when I wrestle and eat potato chips and ice cream and want to give up God says “ let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
This is the race marked out for me. It is unique to me and I can’t compare myself to other people or protest that I’m not a size 8 donut eater.
His discipline is evidence of sonship (or daughtership in my case–is that a word?) and only He knows the road ahead so again I must surrender and trust and get back on the chicken salads. He is good.
Lighthouse Keeper 
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