Correction Correction

I think there may be some even in the body of Christ who're convinced that a kindly, loving God would not bring correction on His own children in this current day. But in my own mind I struggle with that. It would seem to me to be tantamount to a father abdicating one of his most important roles... and to my mind, that is never true of the Perfect Father. 

Scripture is rife with references to the Lord God as Father, and He, Himself referencing those who belong to Him as His children. So that relationship being established, suggesting that the Lord doesn't discipline us to my own mind is essentially like accusing Him of dereliction of duty in a relationship that He's firmly established in creation. But His own Fatherhood's a model that He's exampled for us throughout scripture.

If you've read Israel's history in scripture, then you know that the Lord corrected Israel multiple times, even sending Israel into exile at one point (one serious timeout). But the Lord's correction though not pleasant, was never meant for Israel's destruction - on the contrary, it was meant to protect Israel from a far greater harm - and that out of fatherly concern and care for the children He loves. His correction of them was preceded by instruction, a warning, or both. The sovereign and omnipotent God who could have destroyed them so easily and completely, even pleaded with them at times before bringing correction to bear as a last resort. Unfortunately for wayward Israel (who's not unlike some of us in some ways), it sometimes required some pretty stern warnings - and sometimes serious correction to get their attention.

Jeremiah 42:9-17 (NLT) (Jeremiah speaking)
9 He said to them, “You sent me to the LORD, the God of Israel, with your request, and this is his reply: 10‘Stay here in this land. If you do, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you. For I am sorry about all the punishment I have had to bring upon you. 11 Do not fear the king of Babylon anymore,’ says the LORD. ‘For I am with you and will save you and rescue you from his power. 12 I will be merciful to you by making him kind, so he will let you stay here in your land.’


13“But if you refuse to obey the LORD your God, and if you say, ‘We will not stay here; 14 instead, we will go to Egypt where we will be free from war, the call to arms, and hunger,’ 15 then hear the LORD’s message to the remnant of Judah. This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you are determined to go to Egypt and live there, 16 the very war and famine you fear will catch up to you, and you will die there. 17 That is the fate awaiting every one of you who insists on going to live in Egypt. Yes, you will die from war, famine, and disease. None of you will escape the disaster I will bring upon you there."

Israel's King David knew both the Lord's blessings and favor... and His discipline...

"I know, O LORD, that your regulations are fair; you disciplined me because I needed it." Psalm 119:75 

Even King Solomon acknowledged the existence of the Lord's correction and understood the value of the value of it...

11 "My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you.12 For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights." Proverbs 3:11-12 (NLT)

32 "If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding. 33 Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor." Proverbs 15:32-33

...And when it came to Israel as a nation, the Lord Himself spoke of His own correction of them...
“Is not Israel still my son, my darling child?” says the LORD. “I often have to punish him, but I still love him. That’s why I long for him and surely will have mercy on him." Jeremiah 31:20 (NLT)

Now some might argue that since we're under the new covenant, we no longer experience the Lord's correction. For those, I might then ask them to help me understand the meaning of Hebrews 12:10 (NLT)...
"For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness." 

Better understanding our Father/child relationship with the Lord requires knowing Him, and to truly know Him is to know His Fatherly heart. He's gone to tremendous lengths for His children from the moment He conceived to create mankind. And even though He loves them so dearly, He will correct them... and sometimes it's anything but pleasant... because He loves them so dearly. Understanding His Fatherly heart is the key to understanding some pretty heartbreaking moments for Him in history.

If we would walk in peace with our Heavenly Father, then we have to remember that we're always in His sight and to learn to walk in His ways as He's directed us. Our submission to obey Him is the beginning of our allowing Him the opportunity to just focus on what He enjoys the most - loving us. But our disobedience provides our own choice to open up the possibility of correction. I've personally lived to experience it - I know without a doubt he does correct, but I also know that it's always out of perfect love and concern for what He treasures. It's always our choice to walk with Him or wander off. I personally believe that if we're wise enough to value His correction - to bring us back, we'll look for it, allow ourselves to be changed by it and be grateful for it if it happens.

It is my Father who corrects me, even He who loves me. I will receive this chastisement then from God, and remember that it is a loving hand that smites. I will kiss the very rod that scourges me. I will say, "Father, not my will, but may Your will be done. Make me what you would have me to be. Show me what you would have me to do." Ashton Oxenden, 1863 Church of England clergyman, bishop, and author.


Micah 6:8 (NLT) "No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."