As happens about the middle of most every week, this morning I flipped back to my sermon notes from the previous Sunday to be reminded of highlights I wanted to revisit... scriptures I scribbled so I would remember to review because the pastor was speaking faster than my fingers could write. The note in my journal was regarding Hebrews 12:14 and my words to myself were, "strive for peace with everyone... look up the rest". I wrote this note because I knew this verse on pursuing peace was not the one I memorized years ago (Romans 12:18) and while I have read the book of Hebrews many times (as indicated by the dates in the margins of my Bible), I didn't remember connecting the dots on these similar statements regarding pursuing peace. And as I read back through the verse in Hebrews, I again did what I typically do... I took a look at the verses leading up to this statement on pursuing peace (there are a lot of "therefores" in the Bible and it's important I know what the "therefore" is there for!) The words that preface this verse on peace have everything to do with chastening... discipline or punishment with the intent of improving someone's behavior... and they read as follows:
"My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." - Hebrews 12:5-6
Hang with me here... I know my mind is a dangerous place where a person can get lost in the thoughts I think... but I really do have a point. It is this...
There is a discipline which leads to peace.
The fact that the sermon notes I took were dated October 31 caused me to recall the year I grounded my middle-school-aged son from going to "Trunk or Treat" because he lied about not having received his report card. This thought then took me to the time when my nine-year-old self was disciplined for doing gymnastics in the living room... when my knee knocked a hole in the sheetrock which I then tried to cover up by moving a plant stand in front of it... which I then lied about and tried to throw the blame on someone who wasn't even there!!! I understood why my son lied about his report card. He didn't want me to be disappointed in the grade he had received in Math. I knew how he felt because I had felt the same way when I had to 'fess up to something I did that I knew would be disappointing to my parents. But I knew what happened when you learn to lie and get away with it... and I loved my son, therefore I couldn't not chasten him in that moment. I also knew what the Word said about the discomfort of chastening...
"Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." - Hebrews 12:11
It's hard to live in peace when you try to lie your way through life. Telling the truth takes discipline that sometimes requires discomfort when you have to face the consequences of your actions. But the hope is that the discomfort will lead to different decisions in the future... the kind of choices that indicate changed behavior that produces "the peaceable fruit of righteousness". So if you are feeling chastened today...
Know that your Father loves you enough to not leave you where you are... doing what you are doing. His chastening can lead to a changed heart... and a changed heart will lead to a changed life. And a changed life is one of peace... where you can pursue peace with others... because of the peace that comes by having a right relationship with Him.
Thanks for following my William Faulkner style stream-of-consciousness that finally got me to a point that I pray will encourage you today. Happy Thursday.
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