December 21
Lamentations 3:31-32
For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love.
No mother or father enjoys punishing their child, however they do it to teach that child a lesson and to draw them back to the path they ought to walk. Just as parents do not enjoy abandoning or punishing their child so it is with the Lord. God is not sitting in heaven wishing and hoping that you will mess up just so He can punish you. The truth is we grieve our father in heaven when we participate in things that does not represent Him or bring glory unto Him.
When we are wrong it is only right for us to be taught a lesson. If one is left alone to make mistakes on a consistent basis without reproach, there will never be growth neither will there ever be an instant where that individual feels the need to change. Often times it takes action from parents and in the same way from God before we get back on the right path that we have fallen from. In the manner in which we believe parents discipline out of love we must believe in that same vein that the Lord discipline us out of love. Take joy in the discipline of God. As He disciplines He also shows love and compassion. He will not turn away from you forever. His discipline does not mean He doesn’t love you, so take it in and learn from it. As you learn, trust that He loves you immensely.
