April 11
The Discipline
of the Lord
Hebrews 12:10-11
Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order 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.
Daily Steps
When difficulties feel like painful restrictions or corrections, it can lead to resentment or discouragement. This passage secures peace for the new believer by defining the ultimate purpose of all trials and correction: they are the discipline of the Lord, given for your highest good.
The peace in this understanding is found in God's perfect motivation:
A Higher Purpose: Earthly discipline is limited ("for a little while"), but God's discipline is for your "good," with the goal that you "may share in his holiness." His intent is always to conform your character to Christ's—a perfect, loving motive.
A Painful Process: The passage honestly acknowledges that "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful." You are allowed to feel the grief and the pain of the trial; denying the pain is not required.
A Guaranteed Harvest: The focus is on the future result: the painful process "produces a harvest of righteousness and peace" for those who submit to the training. The peace you seek is not before the difficulty, but the result of being faithfully trained by it.
Your peace in difficulty is secured by trusting that the loving hand of God is guiding your circumstances with one purpose: your holiness, which ultimately yields a harvest of righteousness and peace.
Reflective Question
Is there a difficulty in your life that you currently resent? How can you view that difficulty as loving discipline from your Heavenly Father, and what specific action can you take today to be trained by it?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess that Your discipline is often painful and hard to receive. I thank You that You discipline me only for my good, so that I may share in Your holiness. Give me the grace to submit to this training today, trusting that my submission will produce the promised harvest of righteousness and peace. Amen.
