Discipline

 Scripture:

“Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, for I am with you,” says the Lord. “I will completely destroy the nations to which I have exiled you, but I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you, but with justice; I cannot let you go unpunished.”” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭46‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God is speaking through Jeremiah to all the people who fled from Judah and were going to Egypt. He was very upset with them for their idol worship. His message to His people was that they shouldn’t be afraid because He was with them. He told them that he would destroy the nations they had been exiled to, but they would not be destroyed, even though they were the ones who walked away from Him. He told them He would discipline them and bring them back.

Application:

Even in God’s punishment and discipline, the goal is always restoration. His ways seemed hard in the Old Testament, but His heart was always to restore relationship with His people. God is long suffering and full of patience when His people mess up. Even when we are being disciplined, we can take comfort in the fact that He disciplines who He loves. When we mess up, we must lean on His mercy and grace. We must know our father’s heart, a heart of restoration. 

Prayer:

Lord, when I mess up, thank You for always taking me back into the place of Your blessing. Thank You for not giving me what I deserve for my sins, but giving me grace and forgiveness. Help me to never take that for granted. Show me each day how to walk in step with Your Spirit and to fulfill Your will. Speak to me each and every day. I want to walk with You closer and closer and reflect Your character. 

Your Son,

Jeff