Heavenly Father,
Although your discipline,
your correction,
your reproof
may seem painful at the time,
help us to receive it as the tender and kind strength
of a good Father who deeply loves his children.
Remind us of the truth misapplied by Eliphaz—
“For he wounds, but he binds up;
He shatters, but his hands heal” (Job 5:11-12).
Remind us that while earthly fathers
may discipline poorly and for a short time,
you discipline us “for our good,
that we may share his holiness.”
Help us to wait for the day
your discipline will “yield
the peaceful fruit of righteousness
to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:10-11).
Most of all, remind us that while you discipline us,
you are not punishing us,
for you have already punished Jesus,
our Savior,
on the cross
for every sin
we would ever commit:
“Consider him who endured from sinners
such hostility against himself,
so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (Hebrews 12:3).
In Jesus’ enduring name. Amen.
Read Proverbs 3:11-12; Hebrews 12:1-11.
