Listen:
“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.” (Proverbs 3:11-12)
Reflect:
I still remember moving into my college dorm; everything felt exciting and new. Consequently, early on, I was going to all of the parties, spending all of my time with friends, and neglecting my studies. Then came the call from my parents that I had been put on academic probation. My parents didnt holler at me or threaten to cut me off, but they did have the frank discussion with me that needed to be had. Reasoning through the facts with them made me realize I had been foolish, and that conversation was the catalyst for a necessary change in my attitude regarding my studies.
The words “discipline” and “reproof” get a bad rap because of how badly humanity has botched the intended application and purpose of the words. The Hebrew word used in Proverbs 3:11-12 for ‘discipline’ is ‘muwsar’ and its meaning is tied to instruction, restraint and warning. The Hebrew words for ‘reproof’ here are ‘towkechah’ and ‘yakach’, and connote refuting with proof and reasoning frankly together. Godly discipline and reproof are demonstrations of love meant to lead us into lives of peace and joy!
When we develop a deep trust in our heavenly Father, we will read His word and recognize the discipline found there as a loving warning and instruction that saves us from following the Proverbs 14:2 “way that seems right to man but leads to death.” We will rightly view His reproof as the honest conversations with the Holy Spirit that lead us to making lifegiving choices.
When we hold firmly to the truth that Jesus delights in us, we will undersatnd that He is not a cruel taskmaster that expects perfection, but rather a loving father who leads us with cords of kindess (Hosea 11:4) and invites us to abide in Him (John 15:9-11) and learn from Him (Matthew 11:28-30) so that we will find rest and joy! What a gentle and attentive God we serve.
Prayer of Response:
Lord, help us to joyfully receive your discipline and reproof, from a place of trust that you instruct and correct us for our benefit.
Questions to Ponder:
- Are there any areas I’m intentionally or unintentionally blocking the instruction from or frank reasoning with the Holy Spirit?
- Where have I agreed with a rebellious spirit that is actually leading me where I don’t want to go?
- In what area can I humble myself to prepare my heart to hear hard things that will bring me into deeper joy and peace?
Breath Prayers:
Join us in praying breath prayers each day. We invite you to write your own as well.
Inhale(Breathe in): I trust you, Jesus.
Exhale(Breathe out): I drop the fetters of pride and rebellion.
Inhale(Breathe in): Lead me, Jesus.
Exhale(Breathe out): I see clearly.
—Submitted by Traci Bartak
Traci lives in rural Washington state with her husband Blake and their three young boys: Boaz(11), Brighton(10) and Bear(7). She is a homemaker and homeschooling mom. Traci and her family are members of The Promise Church in Woodland, Wa, where she teaches in the church homeschool co-op and is involved in children’s ministry. On December 3, 2023, Traci published her book The Fight for Family; Cultivating a Spirit-Led Home, in which she shares her passion for seeing families restored to health by the leading of the Holy Spirit. She believes that world change begins first within each home. In her free time, Traci enjoys working in the garden and caring for animals with her family on their hobby farm as well as hiking, reading, writing, traveling and long days wakeboarding at the lake near their home. A passionate disciple of Jesus Christ, she desires to see hearts freed and transformed by regularly encountering the Holy Spirit.