July 15
Training for
Righteousness
Hebrews 12:11
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
It is natural to feel pain during God's correction (discipline, Day 196). This verse provides the new believer with the short-term perspective (pain) and the guaranteed long-term result (harvest) that secures peace while undergoing correction.
The peace in this correction is found in the final harvest:
The Acknowledgment of Pain: God's Word validates your feelings: "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful." This acknowledgment is comforting because it assures you that your pain is normal and expected; God does not demand you pretend the discipline is comfortable.
The Guarantee of Training: The discipline is active "training"—it is a spiritual exercise designed for growth, not simply punishment. This training works on "those who have been trained by it," emphasizing that peace comes through active cooperation and submission to the painful process.
The Result is a Double Harvest: The guarantee for those who submit is a glorious, dual harvest: "righteousness and peace." The discipline produces true righteousness (right living and spiritual maturity) and the deep, settled peace that only comes from being aligned with God's will.
Your peace in suffering is secured by trusting the harvest. Endure the temporary pain of discipline because it is God's guaranteed training method for producing eternal righteousness and peace in your life.
Reflective Question
What "painful" aspect of your life do you need to stop resisting today and instead treat as "training"? How can you remind yourself that the harvest of righteousness and peace is worth the temporary discomfort of God's discipline?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess that I feel the pain of Your discipline right now. I thank You for acknowledging that it is not pleasant but painful. I pray for the strength to actively cooperate with Your training.
Secure my peace today by helping me focus on the guaranteed harvest of righteousness and peace that will come from submitting to Your perfect and loving hand. Amen.
