Growing up in Ghana where beating was often a form of punishment, I grew to dislike Proverbs 13:24. “Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.” This verse was used as justification by teachers, family, and even strangers.
‘Spare the rod and spoil the child!’ They would proclaim, while seeking the nearest cane or tree branch to hit you with. One day, I will unpack the tragedy that is discipline in West Africa, but not today.
I’ve had my fair share of hard circumstances this year, but I look at the 2024 so fondly. I’ve grown in strength, wisdom, self-control, and confidence. My heart is softer and my tongue is less sharp.
It wasn’t until I read Hebrews 12, last week that I understood the meaning of all that I went through this year. God does not spare the rod.
His discipline is to train and mature us in our faith, while our job is to remain joyful and faithful through it all. Easy right? Absolutely not, but we’re always better off because of it.
Let’s take a look at these verses together!
Hebrews 12 (NIV)
God Disciplines His Children
4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”[a]
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,”[b] so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
i have not seen the fruit of my 2024 discipline trial yet but i pray that it’s on the way, in jesus christ’s name. amen.