Disciplined Me Severely
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Disciplined Me Severely
Psalm 118:18
The LORD has disciplined me severely,
But He has not given me over to death.
No good father or mother likes disciplining their children, but if they don’t, children can quickly develop into little terrors — throwing tantrums, talking back, disobeying, fighting with others, screaming, selfishly hoarding toys — real monsters, not enjoyed by anyone.
That is our sinful nature that will be with us all our lives, no matter how old we become. What ever our age in “years”, we are in need of discipline to help us grow spiritually and become more like our heavenly Father — loving, good, and kind.
The child who remembers all the good things his parents have done for him — the loving helpfulness, all the provisions, the praise, games, stories, special treats, and good times together — will realize that the times of discipline are different and with a good purpose. They will know that their parents are certainly not being hateful or harmful, but that the child’s behavior was in need of straightening out, before becoming even more problematic.
In the greatest love, our heavenly Father disciplines us. There are times we simply don’t think we can bear His punishment. It feels so severe and painfully reminds us of our wrong-doing.
The writer of Psalm 118 realized a most wondrous and cherished truth as he faced his severe discipline from the LORD. With praise, he thankfully wrote and sang, “But He has not given me over to death.”
There is a great depth of meaning in that truth. If the LORD did not love this psalmist, God would have just let him continue in his sinfulness until it was time for eternal judgment — then the psalmist would have been condemned to eternal hell, i.e. eternal death. So instead of a death sentence, there is now this discipline to help straighten us out.
God did not want this psalmist to end up in eternal hell. So, the LORD severely disciplined this psalmist to teach him the utmost necessity of changing his ways. The LORD’s discipline was so hard and painful — but, eternally good for the psalmist. It is a marvelous blessing to be able to learn in this life time, that “the wages of sin is death.”
The psalmist learned his lesson. Hell is hell. And what is worse — eternal hell is really eternal hell. We don’t want to go there. In Jesus Christ, God has freely done everything to give us the free gift of eternal life. If we’re wondering what we should do, Jesus plainly tells us in John 6:29, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” Believe and trust in God’s love.
Yes, we’re going through our heavenly Father’s severe discipline, but like the psalmist, we remember all the good God does for us — giving us the gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ. In thankfulness and praise, we stop rebelling and let God teach us the eternal truths of His everlasting love and gift of salvation in Christ Jesus.
Facing our trials, we can surely trust our heavenly Father’s wisdom in helping us to grow in faith, hope, and love. Romans 8:28 — And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God.
Always remembering God’s love on the cross, we say, “Hallelujah! Lord, thank You for faithfully loving and caring for me — even when I’m not so lovable.”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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