Knowing I am loved!

Hebrews 12:5-9 NLT

And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as His children? He said, "My child, don't make light of the LORD's discipline, and don't give up when He corrects you. [6] For the LORD disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as His child." [7] As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? [8] If God doesn't discipline you as He does all of His children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really His children at all. [9] Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn't we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?

No one likes being told off and brought to order, including me.

Yesterday morning during devotional time, a famous person's face suddenly popped up in my imagination. The Holy Spirit's spotlight was shining in a dark place of my soul.

The previous evening I had said something very disparaging about this person, revealing bigotry and prejudice towards him.

I realised that I was dragging my own likes and dislikes into my walk with Jesus, thinking that He would feel the same way as me!

The Holy Spirit pointed out my skewed thinking and biased heart attitude. Surely I knew that Jesus died for that person as much as He had died for me?

He pointed out that He had placed a special "child" of His next to that person in order to show him "the Way". Rather than "hating on him" I should pray for his salvation.

That was a hard rebuke indeed.

I've been been taken to task, not a comfortable experience - I hope I will learn the lesson well.

This morning our adolescent pup dug yet another hole in the lawn. He was disciplined by his "dad", confined to his kennel, not just to punish him, but to show him the correct way to behave. This was because of belonging and love.

Thank You Father, Son and Holy Spirit for Your loving discipline, for not allowing me to go unchecked in my heart. It is very humbling to be corrected by You.