Discipline, Correction, and Hardship

Job 5:17 - Blessed is the person whom God corrects. That person should not despise discipline from the Almighty.

Amen! It is evidence of God’s love when He corrects His children. However, sometimes that discipline can be tough to handle. These words recorded in Job are from Eliphaz - one of Job’s friends who came to speak with him after all of the tragedy he endured. Eliphaz’s insinuation was that Job had sinned and the death of his children and loss of servants and property was the Lord’s discipline. Eliphaz, therefore, advised Job not to despise it, but to willingly and happily receive it.

Although I believe Eliphaz missed the mark with Job, it is still true that those whom the Lord corrects are blessed. Matthew Henry notes a couple of things to consider:

1. When the Lord corrects us, we ought not become bitter and resentful. Instead, we can recognize and appreciate the love of a Father that desires only our best. Because the Father loves us, His will is for our good. This means that He will correct us when we go astray.

Proverbs 3:11&12 - My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

2. Take note of the circumstances under which you find yourself receiving correction. Pay attention and respond appropriately. In doing so, we honor the work of our Father.

Henry puts it this way: “Submit to the chastening, and study to answer the call, to answer the end of it, and then you reverence it.”

Hebrews 12: 7, 8&11 - Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 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.

When we endure hardship, we deepen in our relationship with the Lord. Not all hardship is correction from the Father, but it is used by Him to grow us. As we endure, we also begin to look more like the Father; reflecting His ways in our words and actions. So endure that hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ!