Proverbs 3:11-12. 11My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, 12for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
Often we think that if God truly loves us we should not have all the troubles, difficulties, and hardships in this life that we do. Surely God is able to eliminate all our suffering, isn’t he? On a much larger scale, many people question the very existence of God based on this same premise: If God is all loving and all powerful, then why is the world full of so much suffering?
I’ve often found comfort in knowing that the Bible doesn’t try to cover up the existence of evil, pain, hardship, and suffering. Instead God has been forthright with us. Life is hard. As Jesus said, the world is full of trouble. It is often filled with what we might call undeserved suffering (think about Job, Ruth, Paul, and of course, Jesus). But undeserved suffering is not what Proverbs 3 is addressing. No, this is deserved suffering. Discipline. Reproof. And, in a very real sense, because we are all such sinners, isn’t all suffering deserved? Have any of us really earned a day off from trouble?
Here’s where we can find hope in the midst of life’s trials and tribulations – because we are in Christ, God is our loving Father who uses all things to discipline us in the transformative process of sanctification. What does this mean?
It means that in Christ suffering is the proof that God delights in me, not the proof that he has rejected me.
It means that in Christ no suffering is ever meaningless.
It means that in Christ God is relentlessly working to make you like his Son.
It means that in Christ we can and should see all correction as God’s deep fatherly love for us.
It means that in Christ God’s discipline is never retributive, but always restorative.
It means that when we suffer we are able to experience fellowship with Christ who also learned obedience through his suffering.
Hebrews 5:8-9. 8Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him
Christian, God delights in you as his child. Therefore, he will confront you, challenge you, and correct you, in order to change you. You in Christ is the first step. Christ in you is the ongoing life of reproof and reconciliation that all of us require.
You: Where have you been experiencing the loving discipline of the Father lately?
You in Christ: In Christ you are a child of God that he loves. How does this truth help you to process the trials you are going through?
Christ in you: How can the sufferings you face today bring you into greater fellowship with Christ?
Pray: Father, I know your discipline is always loving as it conforms me to the image of your Son, Jesus. I trust you in all things. Amen.
To Live is Christ 