An Idea Borrowed

Years ago on a radio program someone shared that they read a chapter in Proverbs every day. Since there are 31 chapters and the longest month has 31 days it allows you to read through Proverbs on a regular basis. I use it as the launch pad for my personal worship time and branch out from there. On this blog I will try to share some of the insights I have in the Word. I will try to organize them in the archive by reference.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Avoid the Minefield

(Pro 3:12 KJV)  For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

As I write my wife is in the hospital recovering from serious surgery.  I could give you a litany of all the physical problems she has had.  One of the questions that keeps coming up is “Why?”  We all ask it.  I know when I go through hard times I ask myself, “Is there a lesson I am not learning?”  We all want to know if God is trying to get our attention.

That is a road of thought that is loaded with minefields of unnecessary guilt and fingerpointing.  I don’t think we can use this verse to judge people going through hard times.  In fact, I know we shouldn’t.  That is not the point of this verse.

The point is that times of correction, when that is what they are, show love not hate.  They show Gods desire for repentance not a need to express His wrath.  Notice that the other side of the reproof is delight.  God does not punish the upright.  He tries to lead them in the paths of righteousness. 
(Psa 23:3 KJV)  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Sometime our lack of focus demands a sharper tone but the goal is always spiritual progress.

So?  Listen and learn if the day is a struggle.  God is the originator of the concept of tough love.

2 comments:

Gorges Smythe said...

Just said a prayer for your wife and yourself.

Pumice said...

Thank you. We are blessed by the supportive people we know.

Grace and peace.