Sep 07

One of the great blessings of undergoing any kind of discipline from the Lord is that we come to know him and know him better. God does not allow us to suffer needlessly or send his rebukes for no good reason. He has a purpose in all that he does, and that purpose always benefits us who love him. For all things, including suffering and things we do not understand, work together for good to those who love God (Rom. 8:28).

One of the highest purposes for which we can undergo a hard time of testing is to know God better -- if we will only submit to that testing and trust God to shower us with blessings because of this.

"If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you" (Prov. 1:23).

Wow! What incredible words! If I will respond to God's chastening in my life, I can reap the great reward of knowing the very heart of God, his deepest thoughts; he will pour out his own heart -- to me! What an incredible honor.

Sometimes this honor comes quietly and joyously, as we saw in the study of 1 Cor. 2, with its emphasis on the Holy Spirit. Other times, we must go through fire to receive this closeness to God. But either way, the reward is worth it, for the reward is God himself.

Scripture for today: Proverbs 1:20-33
Thought for today: God pours out his heart to those who are willing to receive his rebukes.
Prayer for today: Make me willing, Lord, to hear you both when you come quietly in love through the quiet voice of the Spirit, and when you speak loudly in chastening love through the hard times.

SEP 07