Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Sacramental Life – Day 345 – Hebrews 12-7-11 – God Disciplines Us – 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
Will you endure hardship? That is quite a question. Have I not been enduring hardship? Has my life been easy? Have I not gone through great difficulty? Have I not experienced trying circumstances? Could I have given up and quit? Have I not been moving forward with you? Have I not been persistent? Have I not been resilient? You tell me. Whatever I have been, if it has been good, is because of you. All the adversity I have experienced in life has been a tool in your hand. You have used every trying circumstance to mold and shape my life. No, my life has not been easy. I have suffered crushing defeats. I have experienced significant setbacks. Do I deserve any credit for keeping moving forward with you? What do you think? Probably not. You have picked me up. You have dusted me off. You have encouraged me. You have spurred me on. Have I enjoyed hardship? Certainly not. Would I have preferred an easier life with more comfort? I am not so dumb. I am not completely foolish. Yes, it not my answer. I am thankful for the life you have given me to life. I am grateful for how you have been molding and shaping my life. You have been treating me as your son. You have used every twist and turn and up and down in my life to teach me to hold on to you. You have helped me to keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. You have been my shelter in every storm. You have been my refuge and strength. You have been my rock and deliverer. Would an easy and comfortable life have taught me any of this? Not hardly. So, I will say to you, “Keep on doing your work in my life.” You are my son. You are my child. I am your Father. I have been, will now, and forever take care of you. I love you with an everlasting love. You are the work of my hands. I am molding and shaping your life. And yes, I am making you into a masterpiece. Have faith in me. Keep on moving forward with me. Place all your faith and hope and trust in me. Yes, I will, with all the strength that you will give to me. That will be very good.
Lord, I have not welcomed your discipline into my life. I have not wanted to be uncomfortable. But now, I welcome your discipline into my life. Use your discipline to train me. Use your discipline to mold and shape me. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to you. Amen
Key Question… What has God used to discipline you to accomplish His good purposes in your life?
Living It Out… Welcome God’s discipline to train you to live a life that is pleasing to Him.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will use His discipline to train you so you can live the life He has called you to live.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has used His discipline to train you.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God’s discipline to train you.
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