“And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.”

The writer reminds his readers of Proverbs 3:11, 12, and Job 5:17. His point is that God treats his children appropriately with discipline. God’s children are not spoiled, but the discipline from God is one of the signs of being His child.

The writer of Proverbs gives two main points. The discipline of the Lord is not to be easily dismissed but taken seriously. When disciplined, the children of God must recognize that there is a reason for the discipline. This is not punishment being dispersed because of wrongdoing on the part of the child but a steering mechanism to prod the child to seek the right course.

Task for Today: If discipline comes your way today, do not cry out, “Why me, Lord?” Instead, ask the Lord to make you and mold you according to His will. See the discipline as a sign that God loves you and wants you to be all you can be. Who knows what great things could have been accomplished had the people not rebelled against God. Don’t rebel, and don’t resist but yield to the direction of God.