Taking Correction

Proverbs 3:11-12

"My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, 
          Nor detest His correction; 
    12      For whom the LORD loves He corrects, 
          Just as a father the son in whom he delights."

In our sinful nature we do not like correction or chastening. Children, you assume your parents must be against you when they correct or punish you. But they are not. They chasten b/c they love you.

Parents, notice verse 12 again… it can be easy to lose delight in your children when they need so much correction. when we have to correct, we can get sinfully against our children instead of being for them in love. This requires confession to our children.

Finally, God chastens and corrects grown-ups, too, in His providence. When we go through a hard time, we should ask if God might be correcting or teaching us. Not to condemn, but to grow in wisdom. You have a loving Father who does not withhold consequences when we sin, but who also lovingly forgives and sides with you.

2/19/12