God's Discipline is Restorative (2)

Psalm 107:10-13: "Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains, for they had rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High. So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled,and there was no one to help. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress."


As we reflect upon these verses, we find that God sometimes introduces "bitter labor" upon those who are acting in rebellion to His Sovereign will. And though this discipline is painful, it nevertheless is designed to draw the impenitent to a place of contrition, confession, and surrender to Him as Lord. Of course, this is not to coerce a person to capitulation simply because God is a tyrant who wants to dominate others; rather, God knows that we were created with the need to have intimate fellowship with Him. God also is Holy and is due all praise and obedience; thus, His creation was designed to exalt His Holiness. To do otherwise is to perpetrate that which is opposite to our original design and purpose . . . . This is cosmic treason at its worst!


Therefore, we know that when God brings discipline to us, it is to draw us back into intimate fellowship with Him. For the Israelites referenced above, they realized that their "bitter labor" was no place to be. They also knew what they needed to do (especially since no one was there to come to their rescue other than God). . . they called out to the LORD for His deliverance.


This is a good word for us. Some of us might find ourselves in "bitter labor" for our sinful ways. God may have brought such difficulty in order to get our attention . . . so that we would surrender to Him. If there is a truth statement, it is that no one who chooses to follow the LORD in obedience later regrets such a decision; equally true is the statement that people who choose to rebel against the Lord ALWAYS regret such disobedience.


If we find ourselves in the slough of despondency, let us not continue there through perpetual rebellion. We must remember that God disciplines us so that "we might share in his holiness . . . . producing a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" (see Hebrews 12:10-11). Let us "be trained" from God's discipline and turn from our wickedness back to His glorious Light. He will deliver us, for His love is unfailing (see Ps. 107:15).