BECAUSE I LOVE YOU
“The goal of God’s discipline is restoration – never condemnation.”
Heb 12:5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives."
It was the only spanking that I remember my Dad ever giving me. My Mom however, well countless spankings come to mind. I was six years old, living in Titusville, Florida. I had just celebrated my birthday with a brand new red 26” Western Flyer bicycle. Dad had clearly warned me not to leave our driveway on that bike. I was perfectly content to obey, until a pack of my school friends were riding by my house and beckoned me to join them. So of course, I went riding with the pack!
It was three hours before Dad caught up with me. He was NOT happy! He put my bike in the trunk of the car and off we went to learn a painful lesson. Dad never yelled at me when he was angry. His voice would get very low and that was more frightening than if he had screamed at me! At the time, it did not feel like love at all but I had not even arrived at manhood, before I realized that my Dad loved me deeply. He only had my wellbeing in mind. He only wanted me to learn that rules were for my good, not because he wanted to rob me of some little pleasure.
Our Heavenly Father only disciplines us, because He loves and wants us to be partakers of His holiness. (Heb 12:10) Because, without that holiness, we would never see the Lord. (Heb 12:14) If you are being disciplined by the Lord, rejoice and say, O, how He loves me! It is well with my soul! Hallelujah!
Every blessing!
—Tom