Who can know what God will do?

 

Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; as destruction from the Almighty it will come! Therefore all hands will be feeble, and every human heart will melt. They will be dismayed: pangs and agony will seize them; they will be in anguish like a woman in labor. They will look aghast at one another; their faces will be aflame. Behold, the day of the Lord comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it. For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light. I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put an end to the pomp of the arrogant, and lay low the pompous pride of the ruthless. I will make people more rare than fine gold, and mankind than the gold of Ophir. Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of its place, at the wrath of the Lord of hosts in the day of his fierce anger. And like a hunted gazelle, or like sheep with none to gather them, each will turn to his own people, and each will flee to his own land. Whoever is found will be thrust through, and whoever is caught will fall by the sword. Their infants will be dashed in pieces before their eyes; their houses will be plundered and their wives ravished. (Isaiah 13:6–16)

Prophecy in the OT is not easy to understand. Historians often figure them out by their fulfillment. The average reader will see glimpses of how God worked to draw His people away from their sinful disobedience back into line with His will. In this passage, the prophet was able to note the following ways of God's working:

The Lord summoned mighty people to minister His anger. They were not willingly or knowingly yielded to Him, but came from a far land to destroy those disobedient to Him. This shocked His people and their land became desolate. His people were feeble in their dismay as God puts an end to their arrogance and pride. Even the earth and heavens tremble as the people become homeless and without leaders. Many die as homes are plundered and families broken with their enemies having no pity for even little children.

This very general summary could be said of much that happens even today when His people live in worldly sin. While we are oblivious to how God uses evil people for good in the lives of His children, His actions at the time do not seem to be good. However, it is through spiritual and physical trials that He builds maturity and Christ-like character. We cannot grow in patience without trials just as the OT people of God would not return to faith in Him without harsh circumstances and realizing how helpless they were without Him.

Jesus, I am glad Your remedies to correct sin in our lives (sin that we do after salvation) is less harsh than it was centuries ago, but sad that we still fall into disobedience just like they did. You are always the gracious Savior that died for each sin. I’m also glad that once I agree with You about what I’ve done, You are faithful to cleanse it from me and restore my joy! 

OT discipline vs. NT discipline

Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father David had done, but he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel. He even made metal images for the Baals, and he made offerings in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom and burned his sons as an offering, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord drove out before the people of Israel. And he sacrificed and made offerings on the high places and on the hills and under every green tree. Therefore the Lord his God gave him into the hand of the king of Syria, who defeated him and took captive a great number of his people and brought them to Damascus. He was also given into the hand of the king of Israel, who struck him with great force. For Pekah the son of Remaliah killed 120,000 from Judah in one day, all of them men of valor, because they had forsaken the Lord, the God of their fathers. And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, killed Maaseiah the king’s son and Azrikam the commander of the palace and Elkanah the next in authority to the king. The men of Israel took captive 200,000 of their relatives, women, sons, and daughters. They also took much spoil from them and brought the spoil to Samaria. (2 Chronicles 28:1–8)

Since then, the people who claim to follow Jesus Christ do not always do what is right in the eyes of the Lord. I sometimes am motivated by selfish desires as do others. We make an idol out of paper bills, silver and gold. Our children are ignored just as those who do not know God often put their family low on their priority list. Goodness is motivated by the hope of personal gain.

Therefore, God disciplines us too. He foils those worldly desires, prevents our idols from satisfying our hearts, allows good or harmful consequences to our families, and blocks the personal gain from our bucket lists. We may not wind up in captivity and be physically abused, but nevertheless given up to the forces of evil that rob our love, peace, joy and other spiritual fruit, replacing it with ruined relationships, worry, unrest and lack of concern for anyone else, even those we would normally care about. All of this is to wake us up to our need to rely on and obey the Lord.

The Lord may use others to confront us, such as Hezekiah who “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord; 

“Hear me, Levites! Now consecrate yourselves and the house of the Lord. . . . carry out the filth from the Holy Place. For our fathers have been unfaithful and have done what was evil in the sight of the Lord our God. They have forsaken him and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the Lord and turned their backs. . . . Therefore the wrath of the Lord came on Judah and Jerusalem, and he has made them an object of horror. . . . our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this. Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the Lord. . . . that his fierce anger may turn away from us. My sons, do not now be negligent, for the Lord has chosen you to stand in his presence, to minister to him and to be his ministers and make offerings to him.” (2 Chronicles 29:1–11)

As the NT also says, we are to hold to our faith and a good conscience. Otherwise we are in danger of a similar discipline of being held captive by our enemy. 

By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom (Paul) handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. (1 Timothy 1:19–20)
When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 5:4–5)

Such discipline is extreme, even shocking. However, God will work in ways to free us from all sin, willful or committed in ignorance.

“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? . . . . He disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. (Hebrews 12:6–10)

Oh Lord, my parents didn’t discipline me very much, but You have and I am aware of its value, both times of mild rebuke and times I felt a strong kick in my stubborn and selfish attitudes and actions. Without You, I shudder thinking where I would otherwise be.

 

The peace of being loved...

 

Love is often shown by small things. Hubby washing the dishes when I am tired, or making the bed every day, or buying supper so I get a break from cooking. God is our example. Pink tulips may mean nothing to many, but when I said, “Lord, if I’m to have a wreath of pink tulips for my door, You will need to provide them” — He did. And parking places, directions in small things, help with my chores, so much more.

The same love shows up in many prayers. Once I prayed for expensive ivory carved scrimshaw with audacious words: “Lord, I’d like one and only ask because You love me.” And He gave me two pieces, not just one. Such is the love of God. He shows it off and nothing can change it.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31–39)

That love shows up in what most children would say is not love at all, but because I know He loves me, then I know His rebukes, corrections, discipline chastening and discipline also are acts of love. I didn’t get much of that as a child and actually remember only one time. My mother rebuked me for being a sassy know-it-all at the dinner table. God fills in what she didn’t do. These verses are changed a bit to suit my gender:

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as daughters? “My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every child whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as His child. For what daughter or son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not His children. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. (Hebrews 12:5–13)

Healing means being rid of the selfishness that is never satisfied because with healing God gives great contentment and peace. Being out of joint is not fun, always wanting and striving rather than being at rest. It is like Jesus in that He gladly abandoned all that He might do the will of God, and when that was declared finished, He sits on an eternal throne and lovingly desires that I sit there with Him.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4–7)

PRAY: Lord, nothing has changed in my world. That to-do list is still long. Many prayers are not yet answered, but in the shift from wanting a vague something to being content, I have that peace that goes beyond comprehension. So thankful. Fill me with Yourself that I might glorify You today.

Discipline is a big stick? Or a hug?

 

Our study group talked about God's discipline. Some viewed that word as harsh rebuke. Some understood it as training, much like the discipline of a runner getting ready for a marathon.Today I looked up verses about God's discipline and found that it can be negative and seem harsh, or loving and gently corrective. The negatives are more about the results or responses than about God's attitudes when He disciplines:

I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. (2 Samuel 7:14–15)
O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath! (Psalm 38:1)
The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death. (Psalm 118:18)
By mere words a servant is not disciplined, for though he understands, he will not respond. (Proverbs 29:19)
And you shall say to them, ‘This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the Lord their God, and did not accept discipline; truth has perished; it is cut off from their lips. (Jeremiah 7:28)

On the positive side, the reason God disciplines is because He loves His children and wants the best for us. Believing that makes seeking His will much easier.

“Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty. (Job 5:17)
Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law, (Psalm 94:12)
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, (Proverbs 3:11)
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. (Proverbs 12:1)
But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. (1 Corinthians 11:32)
And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:5–11)
Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. (Revelation 3:19)

I’ve noticed when parents discipline their children, it can be motivated because the child is annoying them. Other parents are motivated by love and use discipline to train their child to be wise and well-behaved. Most children seem to realize which motive is behind the correction.

It is wise to remember that God is not dealing with me because I am annoying Him. While I could be acting badly, His reason for correction is always for my good.

PRAY: Oh Father, thank You for Your love and grace. It shows up when I’ve behaved foolishly and You bring correction to me. You always do it with a hug rather than a big stick and an angry scowl. Help those whose earthly fathers were motivated more by annoyance than love that they will realize You are not like that. Remind us often that You love us — and that You discipline us so we will become more like You.
P.S. Monday I told You that I’d really like to have some pink tulips. Then yesterday, a neighbor came to our door with a gift for me — a vase filled with pink tulips! My eyes are still leaking.

Chastening hurts? Or helps?

 

Yesterday was a delight. God granted great joy and opportunities to encourage others in their faith. I woke early this morning thinking of all that God was teaching me and how I wanted to be useful to Him. He reminded me of this:

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24)

Paul was called to do what he did. I’ve never had a sense of a call, only the ‘next step’ and this has sometimes been a concern. Yet I see now that God has used me as I obey Him, not in an official church position or a ministry with a name attached, but to speak truth. Years of leading Bible studies is part of that. Lately it is just talking with people, three of them yesterday who thanked me, even though I felt it was me who should thank them.

One writer says it is easier to serve God without a vision or a call because common sense can easily replace His requirements. I’ve never felt that I have common sense. I only know that the Father wants me to be like His Son and that has been my goal. He continually lights my darkness and is on my mind. I know what it means to not account my life precious to myself, but I also know the discipline needed from God to think that way and not be concerned about my usefulness, only that I belong to Him and He loves me.

Yet with that love comes what is needed to become what He wants me to be. He uses all things, some pleasing and some that feel like punishment. But God’s idea of punishment is the parental idea of chastening. According to Webster, chastening means “to inflict pain upon anyone in order to purify from errors or faults.” This means:

The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” … For (our fathers) disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. (Hebrews 12:6, 10)

To build my character and transform me, what happens to me is not as important as who I am and what God is trying to make of me, both for now and for eternity.

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17–18)

Affliction seems less harsh if I can focus on the outcome. Another writer illustrates it with the words of a village blacksmith:  

“When I am tempering a piece of steel, I first heat it, hammer it, and then suddenly plunge it into this bucket of cold water. I very soon find whether it will take temper or go to pieces in the process. When I discover after one or two tests that it is not going to allow itself to be tempered, I throw it on the scrap heap and sell it for a cent a pound when the junk man comes around. So I find the Lord tests me, too, by fire and water and heavy blows of His heavy hammer, and if I am not willing to stand the test, or am not going to prove a fit subject for His tempering process, I am afraid He may throw me on the scrap heap.”

Job was more confident, at least at times. He said it this way: “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” (Job 23:10)
A poet wrote it this way:

“Things that hurt and things that mar
Shape the man for perfect praise;
Shock and strain and ruin are
Friendlier than the smiling days.”

PRAY: Jesus, I am understanding Your love for me with a much broader perspective. Being “God’s spoiled brat” has brought much enjoyment, but I now see being God’s disciplined child is a far greater joy. Thank You for loving me while still a sinner, but loving me so much that You are not leaving me like that. I’ve never wanted to be on the shelf or in the scrap heap.