Title

The Father’s Time Out

Scripture
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
(Revelation 3:19)
Devotional
God corrects and disciplines His children. “For whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.”(1) We are likewise instructed not to despise God’s discipline and correction, but we are to embrace it as obedient sons and daughters. For we know that it will produce, “the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”(2) I think a key to accepting the loving rebuke and chastening of the Lord is found in our recognizing them when they come. It has been a while since He has audibly spoken from heaven or has written on a wall with His finger. Therefore, how do we recognize it when it comes? It first of all comes via the conscience, the Word, and the prophet. If we fail to heed these, He will allow certain circumstances into our lives. And because He loves us, He will not relent of His rebuke and chastening until we are zealous for Him and repent.

(1) Proverbs 3:12, (2) Hebrews 12:5-11
Thought For The Night
“When people are right with God, they are apt to be hard on themselves and easy on other people. But when they are not right with God, they are easy on themselves and hard on others.”  John Newton, (1725-1807), Author of countless hymns including Amazing Grace.
 
Evening Text
Revelation 3:19: As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
 
Looking for Answers
Evening Study Guide
Defining: “The rod,” when used with love, compassion, and for the sake of correction, is a device that does not have to be used very often. Its appearance alone does wonders. A wooden spoon works just fine. Consider Proverbs 23:13.
 
Referencing: “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him,” Proverbs 22:15.
 
Applying: Discipline: never out of anger, always out of love, never with vengeance, always with well-being.