Hebrews 12:11


No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it ~ Hebrews 12:11

I always get hung up on the word “discipline” as I was taught it meant punishment, sometimes harsh punishment. Biblically, to discipline means to teach or to train. An athlete disciplines himself to run the marathon, so he puts in time and effort and energy to accomplish his goal to reach the finish line. It is hard work! It is not pleasant! It hurts! It is also those who put in the time and the effort and the energy to their maximum who are made great. We cannot expect to finish if we only put in half time training. So also, God will discipline us, and it hurts! We want to be the spoiled child getting its own way, but God will have none of that. The chastening that will produce pain in us will also bear fruit within us. First, pain teaches us our nothingness. It is the child which holds on to the father’s hand and cries out, “Be merciful to me a sinner.” It is the humbled heart which cries out so. Second, pain teaches us what is truly important. We must let go of all that is earthly and reach for what is heavenly. Third, when pain is eased, we may more passionately set about doing what God has called us to do, and do it with clearer vision. We see the freshness of a new day dawning; all is brighter. Fourth, if in pain our hearts learn sympathy, they have been schooled well. The poor are tender to the poor, and the sick feel the afflictions of the sick. Fifth, when all is done, our lesson learned, our pain makes us grateful when our health returns. Our gloomy hours are now changed for joy and hope, and a higher praise to God. The fruit comes, not instantaneously, but it begins to bud and then bloom in our character. The fruit we bear is the fruit of righteousness and peace. F. B. Meyer wrote: “So it must ever be. Day out of night, spring out of winter, flowers out of frost, joy out of sorrow, fruitfulness out of pruning, Olivet out of Gethsemane, the ascension out of Calvary, life out of death, and the Christ that is to be out of the pangs of a travailing creation.” Yes, discipline is painful, but God’s discipline always brings me to a higher place!

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