Whom Father Loves, He Corrects

Posted on 06/09/2012 by goodnewsfromadistantland — Leave a comment

It is not always easy to recognize discipline and correction as being an indicator of love. But over the years, I have begun to understand this. When I look back, my hindsight is much clearer, and my attitude is much more grateful for the correction of my loving heavenly Father, Yahuwah Elohim [the Hebrew name for the LORD God].

For example — One summer during college, I took a job in a cafeteria kitchen as an assistant chef. How I managed to get hired for the position is still a wonder to me, because I had no experience.

But there I was, in this kitchen preparing food and cleaning pots and pans. The elderly supervisor must have suspected my inexperience, because she began to take a ‘special interest’ in me. ‘Special’ meaning she was always on my case, stressing, and insisting most firmly!!, her way of doing things. Her methods of instruction were not exactly pleasant, to say it mildly! At times, it was as frightening as an angry, hissing cat, and that can be very intimidating!

Dad Stepped In

At first, I hated the job, as well as everyone around me. I wanted to quit desperately! I called home.

Dad stepped into my situation, and told me, “No way! You stay put!”

Dad was not going to tolerate my rotten attitude. Thankfully, as I look back now, God must have twisted my arm somehow, because I yielded and obeyed my dad’s command. I’m so glad I did, because that summer job turned into one of the best experiences for me.

I realized, later on in life, the elderly supervisor actually did me a favor. Because, once I settled down and accepted the inevitable (plus, the job was for only three months!), I began to actually “grow up!” I actually gained some maturity due to that lady’s ‘special interest’ in me.

But at the time, my dilemma was agonizing!

After talking with my father, I began to ponder my dilemma. I thought that since I had no experience, I might as well try to be agreeable and try to receive this lady’s input.

Now my maturity at that time, was still far from ripe. My attitude was rebellious and haughty and sulky. I fiercely resented the supervisor’s many attempts to correct me!

My efforts to stifle my impulse to retaliate at this lady’s harshness were often not successful! Yet, the things she did manage to get through to me have stayed with me. I have used her methods of kitchen/cooking management over and over. And when the summer was over, I was actually sad to leave. It had turned into one of the happiest summers of my college years!

So What’s The Lesson?

For whom Yahuwah [the LORD] loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. (Proverb 3:12)

Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so Yahuwah [the LORD] thy God chasteneth thee. (Deuteronomy 8:5)

As we see in these verses, Yahuwah’s correction is as a loving father! He is as a father who delights in his child. Though Yahuwah corrects us by various afflictions, He (being the perfect Father) does so with love, and not in wrath. And His correction is always for our good!

Even during those most rebellious days of mine, Abba Father was doing a work in me. That supervisor was Yahuwah’s loving hand of correction and chastening. At the time, her interest in me was intensely bitter, and many times, most grievous!

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. (Hebrews 12:11)

As this verse teaches, Father’s chastening, though grievous, yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness!

By the grace and mercy of Abba Father, His chastening of me that summer, finally yielded the fruit He was looking for! Because, as a result, I began to mature a little bit, and I became more yielded to His input, and soon, I was birthed (Born-Again) into His Kingdom, becoming “a planting of Yahuwah” (Isaiah 61:3).

Look at Derek Prince’s comment on (Proverbs 3:11–12 NIV):

“My son, do not despise the LORD’S discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.”

Discipline is a mark of love: many have gone astray in our contemporary culture and have misunderstood that. Unfortunately there has been a philosophy of bringing up children which omits discipline: allowing your child to do whatever he wishes, to indulge himself in every way. But that does not show love; instead that creates endless potential problems for your child in the future. True love in a parent expresses itself in discipline, in setting boundaries. There is security in set boundaries.
The love of God for His children expresses itself in discipline (correction). God’s discipline is not a mark of His disfavor; it’s a mark of His love! We need to be careful that we understand it that way. The Scripture warns us against two wrong reactions to the discipline of God. The first is despising it. The second is resenting it.
When God disciplines you, pay attention, do not despise it, don’t resent it! Don’t get angry, don’t complain, but learn the lesson that has to be learned. The result will be blessing. The result will be peace and spiritual progress and development. There is no other way that God can teach us except by discipline. That’s true in the natural too. A teacher who does not discipline really can not teach. God is the great teacher, the great Father. He disciplines us in His love. — Derek Prince

While We Were Yet Sinners

Yahuwah’s ways are intimately loving, even when we are oblivious to Him!

Father shows His love for us in a multitude of ways, even before we are aware of Him and His love! The extent of His love was demonstrated for us [while we were yet sinners], the day Yahushua Messiah [Jesus Christ] died for us (Romans 5:8)!

Abba Father knows that one day, His chosen ones, His elect, will know His supreme and ultimate love for us — when we understand the death, burial, and resurrection of Yahushua Messiah on our behalf!

I can thank the heavenly Father now, for putting that supervisor in my life. I have had several such people in my life since then. Little by little, I’m learning that such people are for my training and correction, and thus they are in my life for my good!

Do you have such a person in your life? Perhaps Father is using that person in your life for His loving correction.

For now, Father’s chastening may seem grievous.

But take heart, Dear Reader! We can be sure and confident that — somehow, someway — in the midst of our trials, Yahuwah’s correction is given, because He LOVES us!!

—

Related Articles: