Pay Attention to His Correction II

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

Pay Attention to His Correction II

Sunday, 15 September

 

My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Proverbs 3:11-12

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Psalm 139:1-24 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. 7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. 13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. 19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men. 20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain. 21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? 22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

 

MORE LESSON: Proverbs 3:11-12 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

 

As we discussed yesterday, when God corrects and disciplines us as His children it is a mark of His eternal love for us. We should honour Him for this and respond positively to His love and correction. If God were to leave us without the way of correction or discipline, we would end up in self - destruction. Man always bends towards selfishness, sin and evil and the end of such a way is eternal destruction. Proverbs 14:12 warns: There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. If God leaves you to go on in your own way, uncorrected and without discipline, you will surely end in the wrong destination and you will consequently partake of the judgment.

Yes, God's discipline is not pleasant; it may appear very harsh. However, it is motivated by His eternal love for you and it is for your ultimate good. Is there anything God has been dealing with you about: a sin or a sinful habit? Is it an attitude that He wants you to change, your faithfulness in paying your tithes, your diligence about the work of your hand? It could be your inconsistency at attendance of mid-week services. Could it be your dwindling service in the house of God or your unfaithfulness in evangelism, soul winning and mission? Maybe, it is your poor relationship with your spouse, attitude to your parents or failure to submit to your pastor.

Take a close look at these, and any other matter the Holy Spirit is speaking to you about. Find out what exactly God wants you to do. And whatever He says to you, do it. That is the correct response of a good child to the discipline of a loving Father. Hebrews 12:11 says: Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterwards it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. It is well with you!

 

Prayer/Action

* Give thanks to God for His loving correction.

* Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to the areas He wants you to adjust.

* Ask God to make you a better person than you have always been.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: According to the arrangements of God, nine months is the fullness of every pregnancy. Therefore, this ninth month shall be for the delivery of my 'man child', in the wonderful name of Jesus.