Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 143 – Hebrews 12:7-11 – Disciplines Us For Our Good – Growing As Disciples
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 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 12:7-11 (NIV)
Endure Hardship
Why is it important that you endure hardship? What do you know about hardship that will help you endure it? Those are two very good questions. I know a few things about hardship. Tell me what you know. I know that people become will either become bitter or better as a result of the hardship they go through. Why is that? How is that possible? How can two different people go through much the same hardship with one becoming bitter and the other becoming better? One person can deeply resent hardship. They regard hardship as an enemy. They are unable to conceive of any possible benefit that a hardship could accomplish in their life. What benefits can hardship accomplish in your life? Hardship can draw me closer to you. Hardship can cause me to rely more fully on you. My relationship with you can and has grown deeper and sweeter and more intimate as I have gone through hardship. How so? You have taught me what I could have never learned without going through hardship. Like what? My faith and trust in you have grown stronger as I have gone through hardship with you. I have grown more passionate and persistent in my prayers. I have learned to bring all that I need to you in prayer. I have asked for and received your help. You have been my refuge. You have been my shelter. You have been my rock. You have been my deliverer. What else? You have been molding and shaping my life as I have gone through hardship with you. You have been changing my heart and transforming my mind during hardship. You have been helping me to think your thoughts, speak your words and do your deeds as I have listened to your voice as I have gone through hardship. So, your entire attitude about hardship is different because you know that I will always be able to use it for your good. Instead of becoming bitter about hardship you will become better because you will allow my good work to continue in you. That’s right. That’s true. That’s certain. I welcome you to use hardship to accomplish your purposes in my life. That is very good.
Heavenly Father, I will not resent or rebel against discipline. I will not allow myself to become bitter as I go through hardship. Use hardship to mold and shape me into the person you want me to become. Accomplish all your good purposes in and through me. Amen
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