November 1, 2024 - Deuteronomy‬ ‭8‬:‭5‬-‭6

“Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you for your own good. “So obey the commands of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and fearing him.” Deuteronomy 8:5-6 NLT

Lord, we thank you for your discipline. It shows that you care for us. You want to see us living a victorious life. You want to see us living in the fullness of your freedom and blessings. Those things only come when we walk in obedience to your ways. Your discipline, unlike the discipline that we may see here on earth, is always based in love and fairness. It is never done in a shameful or belittling way. It will never bring harm to our souls. It might harm our pride or require us to give up something that might hurt to give up. It might require us to walk in the consequences of our sins. But in any discipline, you are right there with us. You long to help us walk through it and pour out your love over us as we face what we may face. Show us if we are pushing you away in these moments. We don’t want to get mad at you.

I think of a child getting disciplined for running out in the street. As an adult we can easily see why the child needs to be disciplined and learn not to do that. But for that child, they only see the discipline and not the understanding for it. It makes it easy for them to get mad at their parents. Open our minds to be more understanding of why you tell us not to do something and why you must discipline us. Help us to welcome your corrections in our life. Help us live in a way that we are open to changing our actions. Help us to live in a manner where we are always looking to you and asking for your help. So, before we run out into the street, we see you telling us no and we quickly listen, trusting that you know best. Help us have a teachable and yielding heart to all you want for us.

In Jesus name, amen.