Don't Lose Heart

This week's book is Isaiah.  That is where we are at in our Sunday Bible study.  At first, I started reading this book and it was making my head spin...LOL  Back and forth, future, past.... I don't know when Isaiah was talking about.  Nation after nation spoken of, events foretold in that time period's near future and some things yet to come.  Oh my!  As  I read further on in the book I started to notice something I could relate to.  It was the Father's correction of Israel. 

Many times I've felt the Lord's hand heavy upon me.  Many times I knew I was being corrected but stubbornly resisted.  Many times it took a while before I knew what was going on.  Eventually, I came around to God's way of thinking and went back on track.   But what I noticed in Isaiah narrative and in my own experience is that God never corrects without the desire and goal of restoration.  He never corrects without love being at the center of His heart. 

Isaiah 54:6-8  For the Lord has called you back from your grief--as though you were a young wife abandoned by her husband." says your God.   "For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will take you back.  In a burst of anger I turned my face away for a little while.  But with everlasting love I will have compassion on you," says the Lord, your Redeemer. 

It's beautiful the way the Lord brings discipline, yet also restoration and redemption.  His compassion will never fail, even in His anger at our sins.  He doesn't abandon us forever.  We may have consequences, but when we've learned and turned again to Him, he welcomes us back into His embrace and mercy. 

Hebrews 12:5-6  And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as His children?  He said, "My child, don't make light of the Lord's discipline and don't give up when He corrects you.  For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as His child.  

Hebrews 12:11  No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening--it's painful!  But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

Coming under the Father's correction is not fun.  It's not meant to be.  It's meant to draw us back to the right path.  The quicker we turn from our sin, the quicker we will find relief and new joyousness. This book of Isaiah has suddenly become very encouraging! 

Lord, thank You that You care enough to correct us, to train us in the right way to live.  Forgive my stubborn heart Lord.  So many times I resist Your correction.  Lord, let that not be so!  Help all of us to have a heart that is quick to repent, quick to listen and quick to follow Your leading.  In Jesus' most merciful Name.  Amen. 

Don't lose heart at the Lord's discipline.  Repent and return.  You are loved.