Discipline doesn’t always feel good!
As a new parent, I asked myself many times, “What do I want my parenting style to look like? How do I want to discipline my child?” There’s no shortage of folks who will tell you how they think it should be done—which is usually how they did it. Parenting processes are often handed down from generation to generation, for better or worse.
I decided when my son was still a newborn that I wasn’t going to be afraid to discipline unconventionally. I didn’t want to do it just any way; I really wanted to do it God’s way. What that led me to was unpacking what discipline is, what a rod is for, what it truly means to teach and instruct. And along the way I’ve gained a new appreciation for true biblical discipline and what God does for us.
I love this verse in Psalm 94 because it’s honestly a summation of all these principles. God’s discipline is the root of what all discipline should be: teaching. Not creating an attitude that says “Yes, sir,” just because we say so, but one that instills principle and value through teaching. God doesn’t want us to obey Him just because, nor does He want our children to do the same—that’s why they’re to obey us in the Lord! There’s communication of intent, there’s relationship. We are blessed when Yahweh corrects us, when He teaches us from His Torah, His instruction, His law. He corrects us and shows us why, teaching us His principles in His law so we understand and choose better behavior next time. What a blessing indeed!
But it doesn’t stop there! I love this passage! It goes on to say that this method of discipline—correction with teaching—gives the one being disciplined peace, even in bad times, until the wicked are dealt with. I truly believe those who Yahweh disciplines can have this peace because we understand the heart of God; He has taught us to see His ways, to be mindful of His purposes. Now we can have peace, knowing God is active and involved, that righteousness will prevail. We understand Him, we trust Him, and we love Him—and because we love Him, we avoid collusion with the wicked. This brings even more peace!
Isn’t that amazing? I love this God-established form of discipline! We are so blessed that our God corrects and teaches us…that He honors our free-will choices by instructing us why it’s imperative we obey Him, rather than simply demanding we must, “Just because!”
God, help me to discipline the way You do! May my correction and teaching bring peace to the life of the little one you’ve entrusted to me! Amen!
