The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 17 October 2019 – Do Not Reject Discipline

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TOPIC: Do Not Reject Discipline

READ: Jeremiah 30:1-11 King James Version (KJV)

1. The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord , saying,
2. “Thus speaks the Lord God of Israel, saying: ‘Write in a book for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you.
3. For behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord , ‘that I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah,’ says the Lord . ‘And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.’ ”
4. Now these are the words that the Lord spoke concerning Israel and Judah.
5. “For thus says the Lord : ‘We have heard a voice of trembling, Of fear, and not of peace.
6. Ask now, and see, Whether a man is ever in labor with child? So why do I see every man with his hands on his loins Like a woman in labor, And all faces turned pale?
7. Alas! For that day is great, So that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, But he shall be saved out of it.
8. ‘For it shall come to pass in that day,’ Says the Lord of hosts, ‘ That I will break his yoke from your neck, And will burst your bonds; Foreigners shall no more enslave them.
9. But they shall serve the Lord their God, And David their king, Whom I will raise up for them.
10. ‘Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob,’ says the Lord , ‘Nor be dismayed, O Israel; For behold, I will save you from afar, And your seed from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return, have rest and be quiet, And no one shall make him afraid.
11. For I am with you,’ says the Lord , ‘to save you; Though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, Yet I will not make a complete end of you. But I will correct you in justice, And will not let you go altogether unpunished.’

THE MESSAGE:

Our passage of today talks about restoration that will come the way of the people of God – Israel and Judah. God had to allow their enemies to overpower and enslave them. This measure which was borne out of love for His people was taken by God to punish and correct them for their iniquities. Amos 3:2 reads, “You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.” Indeed, God will never overlook our wrongs as we read from Habakkuk 1:13 Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing.

A careful look at the passage reveals that the manner God goes about punishing His children, is quite different from the way He punishes unbelievers. While the unbelieving nations are completely destroyed for their sins, God’s children are only judged and fairly disciplined (verse 11). When God disciplines His children, it is with the hope of producing a harvest of righteousness and peace (cf Hebrews 12:11). Since the discipline of God is unto a good end, we are warned to take seriously God’s discipline and not lose heart when we are rebuked (cf Hebrews 12:5). If we do not take to corrections, then we will be in danger of being given over to a depraved mind to continue to do wrong until we are destroyed (cf Romans 1:28).

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me surrender to Your discipline always in Jesus Name. Amen.