The Joy of God’s Discipline

As parents we discipline our children, not out of hate or anger, but because of our love for them, and because we want to protect them from future wrong and dangerous behavior. But our discipline needs to be measured with the spirit of compassion.

And once the discipline is over, we are to take them up in our arms, restoring them and letting them know of our love. Our children need to experience compassion just as much as they need to experience discipline.

In other words, we need to discipline our children the same way we would like God to discipline us. And that’s because in God’s discipline there is mercy and compassion.

“For in My wrath I struck you, but in My favor I have had mercy on you.” (Isaiah 60:10b)

God had to discipline Israel for her constant idolatry, but in His discipline, He showed mercy by bringing them back into the land and into fellowship with Him.

In God’s love He disciplines us, so we aren’t to despise His discipline, and we should always know that in His love He will have mercy on us.

“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.” (Revelation 3:19)

“Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.” (Job 5:17)

“My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” (Proverbs 3:11-12)

And while no discipline seems pleasant at the time, in the end it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace (Hebrews 12:11). And while weeping may endure for a season due to our sin, joy will come in the end because of God’s favor towards us.

“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)