Hebrews 12:5 (NIV)
And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons. My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes.

Most of us, when we come to God have rebellion in our heart because we've been left to ourselves to do our own thing. The bible says that any child left to itself will bring a mother to shame. The bible says that a rod of discipline will drive folly or rebellion from their heart. If we do not be yoked to discipline then we are left to grow in rebellion rather than obedience. We will grow in one or the other, in obedience or rebellion. We will do what is right or we will do what is wrong or we will do what is right in our own eyes.

The most fertile time for a root of bitterness to grow in our life is in the time of discipline or correction and if we don't understand that, we won't keep an eye open for it. When discipline starts to come, anger starts to flow because somebody is pulling us up. Somebody is putting a restraint on us whether its correction by God or by man or by authorities.

Why are we so angry at police officers? Because they don't let us do what we want to do. If we speed they book us. Someone comes and grabs us for shoplifting, we plead grace, and mercy. We live this type of life that's absolutely crazy and any authorities seem to provoke anger to it rather than to move into submission. God wants to discipline us. He says that if He doesn't discipline us then He hasn't accepted us as His son or daughter.
More Devotinals...