Day 24: Exodus 8:25-11:10
When I was in Army Basic Training, discipline was a key component in training us to be the best soldiers. I recall many times when I failed at a task, the drill sergeant would say, "McCutchen, drop and give me 20!" meaning, push-ups. The discipline of push-ups were designed to make us stronger or smarter. So, the more push-ups one did, meant he/she was getting stronger, not smarter. The goal was for us to become smarter in how we performed a task and how we would approach the enemy.
Most, if not all of us have experienced some kind of discipline when we were a child or student or athlete. Discipline is designed to redirect bad behavior, improve grades and athletic performance.
Pharaoh in Exodus 8-11, had a really hard time understanding God's discipline. What Pharaoh needed to understand from the first conversation about "Letting God's people go" that it was not a request, it was a demand. Pharaoh's lack of respect for God's authority and power didn't phase his relentless bad behavior. Every time Pharaoh reneged on his promise, God's discipline got worse for him and Egypt. Eventually, God got his full attention when his first-born son died due to Pharaoh's lack of obedience to God's demand to let Israel be free from his brutality and dictatorship.
When God tells us to do something, he isn't requesting it or asking us to "think about it;" rather, he is instructing us to do it. When we are disobedient, he disciplines us out of love, not out of a mean or vindictive heart. Proverbs 3:11-12, "My child, do not reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t get angry when he corrects you. The Lord corrects those he loves, just as parents correct the child they delight in."
May we all do our best to be the best! God's discipline is out of love to help us be better and live better. God loves you more than anything else in all of creation.
No comments:
Post a Comment