God’s Discipline
4 min read
11 But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.
13 At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
Revelation 11-13
Two powerful prophets are resurrected and ascend into heaven after the devil kills them. Terror strikes everyone who sees them because everyone was happy that the prophets had been killed. The fire of God’s word that came from their mouths devoured those who opposed them (verse 5). And then, after seven thousand perish in an earthquake, the survivors give glory to God.
Aren’t we all like that? I’m like that. I read and hear and study and preach the powerful word of God, but it doesn’t hit home and, often, I don’t repent until it hits home and I suffer for my sin.
Whenever I suffer for my sin, the fear of the Lord leads me to repentance. But the Lord would much rather lead me to repentance with His kindness (Romans 2:4).
That is why the word of God says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10).
Yes, our God is the God of second chance. Our God is patient beyond our understanding. But woe to those who suffer for their sins and do not repent—especially to those who know the Lord.
Of course, no one likes to be disciplined by God. But we must remember that God only disciplines us because He loves us deeply and dearly (Revelation 3:19). And so because of sin, we will be disciplined if we know the Lord. But we can also pray for the Lord’s hand to be gentle.
As I grow more mature in my relationship with the Lord, my confidence in His grace and mercy grows. At the same time, my awareness of His hand of discipline grows sharper, too, as well as my confidence that God hears my prayers for mercy.
God loves, God disciplines, God hears.
The Lord will make me ready for when the day of the Lord comes.
Father, Thank You for Your mercy. Do not discipline me or rebuke me in Your anger or wrath. I pray that You would deal with me gently. Yet, I know You must deal with my sin. May I learn quickly and repent quickly through Your Spirit. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
