4th June 2021
THE FATHER’S DISCIPLINE
David Abankwah
READ: Leviticus 26:14-43
For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.
-Hebrews 12:6 | NKJV
It is high time we knew the God we serve very well. Many people know God to be a God of mercy. Others know Him as a kind God. Others know Him to as a God who loves. Others know Him as a God who saves. But when it comes to discipline and justice, many believers don’t want to believe that, the God who is love, merciful, nice, good, and what have you, is also the God who punishes us for our sins and iniquities. I know many people will not bear with me on this but there are countless examples in the Bible for referencing on divine discipline. Search through the Scriptures and you will discover that God punishes sins committed for justice is even the foundation of His throne.
Before the Israelites were delivered from the Egyptians, they saw God in His state of love, mercy, salvation, and grace but they were asleep when God disciplined the Egyptians in the night by sending an angel of death to kill their firstborn sons. Moses becoming aware of this, understood that there was more to God than what he already knew. So, one day, He asked God to show him His glory. He knew God in part but he wanted to know Him fully. God said, no problem, you will know me more. I will make my goodness pass before you and I will proclaim to you who I am (Exodus 33:19). Let us be attentive and read Exodus 34:6-7 and Deuteronomy 32:39 to know more about God.
⁶And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, ⁷keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, BY NO MEANS CLEARING THE GUILTY, VISITING THE INIQUITY OF THE FATHERS UPON THE CHILDREN AND THE CHILDREN’S CHILDREN TO THE THIRD AND THE FOURTH GENERATION.” -Exodus 34:6-7 | NKJV. From Exodus 34:6-7, we don’t only know God as merciful, gracious, longsufferer, and good but also as a disciplinarian (no means clearing guilts). If you commit iniquity, God visits or punishes you for it and even extends it to your children.
Don’t be scared of God’s character. Just flow with the things He likes. Deuteronomy 32:39 also talks about His identity. ‘Now see that I, even I, am He, and there is no God besides Me; I KILL and I make alive; I WOUND and I heal; nor is there any who can deliver from My hand. Everything you sow (righteousness/holiness/sanctification or sin/iniquity/abomination), God will make you reap for it here on earth and hereafter. Sow seeds of sin and iniquities and God will surely punish you. Sow seeds of righteousness and holiness and you will be rewarded. Don’t mistaken the justice and disciplinary side of God as ‘wickedness.’ What you sow is what He makes you reap.
•| Prayer Diary |•
¹Lift up prayers to love the Lord with all heart, mind, soul, strength, and all you have. ²Lift up prayers for the awareness of the situations you are passing through as the evidence of divine punishment other than the works of darkness. ³Lift up prayers to accept the scourges of God anytime He disciplines you in the name of Jesus Christ.
Quote
“God is a good father. He disciples His children who offend Him. If you are not disciplined for offences, it means you are not a child but a servant”
One-Year Bible Reading Plan
Job Chapters 35-38
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© 2021 David Abankwah
David Abankwah 