Praise Him in My Dismay
Rejoice, You’re a Child – Part 2
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:6-12
Key Verse: Hebrews 12:5
And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you
As we continue our thoughts from yesterday, let me ask: Would you like proof that you’re a child of God and that all is well in that relationship? I think most of us would enjoy that assurance. Well, the Hebrew writer is giving us a perspective that can answer our questions. He tells us that it is our trials, not our blessings, that affirm our relationship with our Father in heaven. He wants us to look at these times of dismay in our lives as signs of our solid relationship as a child of God: “God is treating you as a son” (vs. 7).
Most of us look toward heaven when things go wrong in our lives and say, “What have I done to deserve that?” Our Father in heaven may well be saying, “You’ve done nothing wrong. I’m working on our relationship so it can be better!” In fact, as the Hebrew writer says in verse eight, “if you are not disciplined, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
Whether our Father causes our dismay or simply allows it, the result can be—should be—the same: We respond with praise for He is treating us as beloved children! And our Father has one goal: To produce a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it (vs. 11). Rejoice, you’re a child!
Father, I will rejoice—always and in every circumstance. I may not understand why, but I will trust your work in me! In Jesus’ name, amen.