September 13, 2020
Good morning Lovelies hope all is well this lovely morning. Father, there are days when the reality of our broken world-hurt, disappointments, and sickness, can make it seem like we’re all alone. Especially in seasons when it feels like we’re walking through a dark valley, we need Your light. We know that in times we don’t know what to pray that Your Spirit is interceding on our behalf. When we are weak You are our strength. I ask You to strengthen every person who reads this on today. All that may be feeling weak, alone, discouraged or down. You’ve promised to never leave us or forsake us. There is nothing too difficult for You. In the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen!
I don’t know about you, but when I was growing up I got whippings! The belt, an extension cord, a broom, a switch that you had to go outside, and get. God forbid if you come back in with one that couldn’t be used. You name it, it corrected me. And now, having had children of my own who are grown now, I see the importance of a good whipping from time to time. This practice has become non-existent though in this day and time. Which is a lot of the problem with youth today. Parents have become scared of their children and as I say, “The inmates are now running the asylum!”
But let me get back to the point that’s a whole other post in itself. Most of the time punishment is meant for correction. But, there are times when punishment serves an even greater purpose. The pain of punishment, groundings, whippings, etc., really hurt while they are happening. God’s chastening feels terrible while we are going through it too. The pain of the consequences of our stupid mistakes or our hard heads hurts even worse. But through it all, there is usually a lesson learned. And that lesson must be learned in order for it to not happen again.
The whole point of chastening from God is the same as when we disciplined our children. We want them to shape up, do right, and not fall short of their potential. That’s love and really shows that you are concerned about your children’s well-being. The greater the purpose of the punishment or chastening is to make the good times even better! You see, the reward for doing the right thing is a joy from not getting punished for doing the wrong thing.
Let me put it this way. If you didn’t experience the pain of punishment or chastening, then you wouldn’t be as excited to celebrate the victory over the thing that you defeated! If it is something that once caused you pain because it got you in trouble, then when you beat it or defeat it, it will bring even more joy because of the memory of the previous pain.
This is cause to give thanks! To give thankfulness to God. That is what mercy is all about. There would be no mercy if there was no chastening. There has to be punishment for mercy to be understood. You have to experience the pain of punishment, chastening, or consequences to understand the power of mercy. The Word says, that “God’s mercy endureth forever,” meaning that He never runs out! Sometimes He allows us to go through and we have to accept the punishment, or chastening.
But, other times He uses mercy! And we must give thanks to Him for those times and learn from the lessons that He is teaching us in our walk with Him. Don’t keep doing the same things over and over, and then expect mercy when the consequences come. Grow from your chastening, whether they be of God or just consequences of bad decisions. Once you grow past it give thanks to God.
You could have died from some of the mistakes you made, but His mercy endured! You could be lost right now behind that bad relationship that you chose, but His mercy endured! You could be on the streets and having nothing to eat behind some of the decisions you have made, but His mercy endured! You could be hopeless, not knowing that God cares for you, but His mercy endured!
Give thanks to Him right now for the punishments, for the consequences that came, but went away. Because trouble won’t last always, but his mercy will! GIVE THANKS!!!!
“O give thanks to the Lord, for His mercy endureth forever.” Psalm 136:3
Love life, give people hope and share your heart, wisdom, and resources. Never place a period where God says there should be a comma. As always peace and blessings, be safe. Take advantage of your opportunities but never allow your opportunities to take advantage of you. Remember God loves you and so do I. krw©9.13.2020
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