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In Order. After Discipline

2Samuel 24, 1Chronicles 21-22, Psalm 30

After Discipline

Let’s be honest.  God’s people are not perfect.  While others may declare that, we think we are prefect, we honestly know we are not. This honesty, brings us to the harsh reminder that we see today.  Sometimes God does in fact become upset with His people and His leaders.  And this can result in His discipline, with potential hurt and pain to both the guilty and the innocent. 

It happened when God permitted Satan to have unhindered access to David and Israel and David did what he wanted to do.  The result?  Discipline with hurt and pain to both the guilty and the innocent.

But whether it is David, Israel or our own personal lives, there is always the same truth,

“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.” (Ps 30:5)

When David then did what the Lord wanted him to do and built an altar and offered up his own burnt offering and peace offering, the Lord heeded David’s prayer and the disaster ended.

This result, in the life of David, is the same outcome for us when we have had to experience the anger and discipline of the Lord in our life.  It comes to an end because we have done what He wants us to do, and “His favor is for life.” 

And God’s love for us is such that there is more.

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, (Psalm 30:11)

To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever. (Psalm 30:12)

God puts us back into a place, in our life, where the discipline and disaster are no longer the focus of our life.  Now the focus is the things He desires most in our lives, continual praise and thanks.

If there is now discipline occurring in your life, do what the Lord wants you to do.

If the discipline is past do what will help you keep your focus on the right thing, sing praise and give thanks.

Robert McClendon

Bob McClendon grew up in Pennsylvania, spent most of his adulthood in Colorado, and is now ready to learn how to be a Texan. He married his high school sweetheart, Tracy, in 1975. They have two...more