5-12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
your wine vats will brim over.
BUT, don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline;
don't sulk under his loving correction.
It's the child he loves that God corrects;
a father's delight is behind all this.
I remember when I was a child and need of discipline! Oh my, it did not feel like this was the best thing for me. You see, I knew as I am sure all of us did when we were children we knew what was right and wrong. And, when we crossed that line, we knew what would happen. This was how we were taught and that is how we learned. As I read this scripture, the last part of it really caught my attention. The motive for the correction of course is the reason. Why did our parents correct us? Was this their motives to make us better and stronger people? They knew what we would face in this world, they knew life would be hard. I think of a small tree just being planted and tied with cable from all sides to keep it growing straight. Not free to just grow which ever way, but trained to grow straight. And then one day that tree is grown, and it is tall and majestic and able to withstand the storms that come. Then I know why it was given such strict attention. We are like that, we need Godly guidance all of our lives not just when we are small. We need to be accountable to God for our actions and especially reactions. We need to trust God when we are being blown around and it seems like we have lost our way. We are never alone, He is with us. But He is allowing the winds and storms of life toughen us, so that we will grow and mature as we should. As you also read in this passage, don't miss this "BUT", that I have capitalized. Trusting God, listening to Him and you will be blessed, BUT, do not overlook the rest of it. Read on, don't resent God when he disciplines us. Remember He loves us and His intentions are for our good. I hope this blesses you as much as it does me. It is wonderful to claim the promises of God, BUT, there are stipulations also. We must do our part and trust is a big part of it. Thank you for stopping by, I pray you are safe and warm. (The picture above is what we have been dealing with this week. 11 inches of snow and sub zero temps.)
Be blessed my friends!
I will be linking up with Metamorphosis Monday, the link follows:
http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/2011/02/welcome-to-spiritual-sunday.html
