“And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe He exists and that He rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Tipper, heel.
Tipper, sit.
Tipper, drop.
Good dog!
Tipper, no!
Our thirty-pound puppy will lie on the floor, eyes rolling up to watch our faces. She knows when she’s in trouble. And, she has perfected how to look just adorable while receiving correction.
Why do we bother correcting Tipper? After all, she is only a baby.
We know she is capable of better behavior. She just needs to learn it.
We know she’s a smart dog. We know she can learn quickly. (We have seen the evidence of quick learning when treats are factored into the equation!) In short, we correct her because we care, and we know she’s capable.
Oftentimes, God needs to correct me.
Why does He do it?
He loves me more than I can fathom.
I might not be capable on my own, but I don’t need to be. He loves me so much; He happily provides all the needed resources.
Need a deeper faith?
He can do that. Mark 9:23-24, 2 Corinthians 10:15
Need a way out of temptation?
He promises just that. I Corinthians 10:13
Need more peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control? He promises that too, in Galatians 5:22.
I get to choose how to respond to correction. Do I sit and wallow in self-pity? Or, do I see it as an example of how He loves me and knows I am capable of so much more? Do I view the correction as a learning experience?
Like Tipper gets a treat when she obeys, do I see the reward for my hard choice of obedience? (Unlike Tipper’s experience, our rewards are not always immediate. But they are forthcoming as promised! Deuteronomy 28:1-14)
Tipper knows when she’s being corrected. She actually gets a sheepish look when we need to address an issue she has heard several times before, and we know she knows she’s wrong.
But, just like Tipper after a correction, we also receive love and encouragement once we have righted our ways.
Reflections:
How has God corrected me recently?
How did I respond to that correction?
How might I respond in the future?
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You, that You love me so much, You don’t let me act in direct disobedience to Your law. Whether it is thought, word, or deed, You want only the best for me, and You patiently continue to teach me. Please help me to willingly receive Your teaching with grace and an open heart. Thank You for loving me so much, You won’t allow me to stay in a sad state of disobedience. Amen.
Thank you for reading! Please return by Monday, June 14, for the next post!
Why does He do it? He loves me more than I can fathom.