Hebrews 12:11

Scripture

All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful. Yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

Observation

I am being disciplined right now.  I may not be getting a holy spanking, but I do feel like I am standing in a corner or even grounded.  I don't have any real in depth thought on this except to say that this verse really encourages me and gives me hope. 

I have asked God over and over to rid me of all unrighteousness; the sin of pride, envy, and selfishness, these sins that steal my peace. Isn't that what sin does?  It steals your peace.   I want to be presented without sin, holy and blameless before Him in love (Eph. 5:27)  and He is doing that very thing, but it hurts and sometimes can be very sorrowful.

Like Elijah by the Kerith Ravine, I am just sitting here by the brook and  I praise God for the overflowing waters that the Ravine provides, and the food being brought by the ravens (1 Kings 17).  Literally every day I being transformed by the renewing of my mind through His amazing word.  I don't know what His plans are for me or what will be next, if anything.  But I do know that His plan is good (Jer. 29:11) and that once I am trained by His discipline I can expect to bloom the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

Application

2 Corinthians 10:5 say's that we demolish arguments and every pretension that set's itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to the obedience of Christ.  Well Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1-2).  I can't demolish discouraging and untrue arguments if I do not know the Word of God.  This particular verse is important for me to memorize because it encourages my heart in moments when I feel discouraged and thus I can demolish that discouragement.  So I am going to memorize this scripture, praise God for the His promise of righteousness, and believe Him to do what He say's He is going to do.

Prayer

Father of glory, there is a prize set before me, and You have called me to run the race of endurance (Hebrews 12:1).  I praise You for Your discipline, for I know that You only discipline those that You love (Rev. 3:19).  Who am I that You should be so mindful of me?  Father, I ask with all my heart that You would receive maximum glory through this discipline.  That I would become less and You would become more (John 3:30).