I will do this because they have forsaken me and worshiped [false gods] and have not walked in my ways, nor done what is right in my eyes. (1 Kings 11:33)
MY SCOTTISH FATHER was a strict disciplinarian. When I was a kid and disobeyed him, he spanked me. That was before the days of a time out. When Dad spanked me hard, I cried. Then he would say, “Stop yer greetin or I’ll gie ya something to greet aboot!” The translation is, “Stop your crying or I’ll give you something to cry about!”
I suppose every person older than 50 can recall a similar disciplinary session, but the way society is heading, it may not be long before parents will be disciplined for imposing rules on their children.
Through the prophet Ahijah, God promised to discipline Israel because of her idolatry and violation of His laws. He would divide the kingdom. Ten tribes would be torn from Solomon’s hand and only one tribe (Judah and Benjamin were considered one tribe in the incident described in 1 Kings 11) would remain in the original kingdom,
Our heavenly Father also disciplines His children today when they disobey Him. Hebrews 12:10 explains that He does so “for our good, that we may share in his holiness.” The discipline may not seem “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” (Heb. 12:11).
Let’s accept discipline as evidence of our membership in God’s family, and trust our heavenly Father to use it to make us better not bitter.
Live in such a way that your path to the woodshed shows very little wear!
Jim Dyet was born in Scotland and grew up in Canada. Married fifty-eight years, he and his wife Gloria live in Colorado Springs, where Jim enjoys golf and daily walks with their dogs.
© 2018 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
