Proverbs 3:11-12
“My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”
Correction
I have yet to meet a human being who enjoys being corrected, or disciplined for errors, mistakes, or any form of wrongdoing. I well recall the unpleasantness of discipline exercised by parents and teachers when I was growing up. Physical punishment was the norm at school in my day, and the threat of a visit to the headmaster’s study generally had the desired effect on pupils.
Most of us do not like to imagine God as a Headteacher or Principal with a list of punishments to be levied for misdemeanors. But Scripture teaches that every one of us will one day stand before God and answer to Him for the way in which we have lived our lives (Romans 14:10-12).
Feared, or Welcomed?
Inevitably there will be times during our journey on earth when we will face corrective action from God. The question we must consider is whether correction from God is a form of discipline to be feared, or a process of discipling that is to be welcomed?
While Proverbs teaches that we should fear God, the above verses confirm that if God corrects us it is because He loves us and wants to delight in us as He trains us to be disciples.
Abba Knows Best
The use of the word father in verse 12 is important. The writer is defining the relationship that God desires with those He created. Jesus confirmed that God is a loving Father who delights in His children when He referred to God as ‘Abba’.
If God needs to discipline His children He will. It may not be pleasant, but it is vital if we are to grow into spiritual adulthood. Is that what you desire?
Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly – mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. (1 Corinthians 3:1-2)
Caitlin Klem
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Proverbial Thought 
April 20th, 2012 at 12:47 am
This is a very good post. I actually felt tears beginning to form as I read this, as I considered all of the ways I have been disciplined in this life. Those times hurt and at times even scared me a little, but I have learned of respect and that healthy fear for God. I have learned to heed His warning and call. I may still mess it up, but His discipline has come to be a comfort … even when I am uncomfortable.
April 20th, 2012 at 2:25 am
Thanks for the encouragement Dan. I believe that God disciplines us because of His indescribable love for us. I know some people may struggle with the concept of a loving Father, but I am overwhelmed by the thought that God loves me in such a way.
April 20th, 2012 at 10:02 am
Good post! I was just having a conversation with someone the other day about this very thing. They view God as a Father who is harsh, always ready to rush in with the most extreme measure of discipline. (This person’s dad beat his sons with a whip for ANY infraction of the rules). So we talked about the fact that discipline and punishment are different. Discipline is done in love. Punishment is done in anger (it’s generalizing, I know, but I was making a contrast between his dad, and his heavenly Father). I love that your post confirms that God’s discipline is about love, not anger. Thank you!
April 20th, 2012 at 10:12 am
Thank you Karla. Praying that the person you were talking to changes his views about God.
April 20th, 2012 at 11:36 am
Thank you for joining me in that prayer!
April 20th, 2012 at 12:28 pm
Unlike men, God is good, and His mercy endures forever, even when He disciplines. Oh, that we would be better examples of that kind of Parent.
April 20th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
Amen!