"Another Fine Mess Avoided"

Scripture reading:  Job 5:7-17

Opening text:  Prov. 3:5-12

Additional reading:  Mal. 3:8-12; Heb. 12:1-6;

Heb. 12:7-11; Rev. 3:19; I Cor. 11:30-32

     The purpose of God's discipline in the lives of His children is to bring us back to a restored relationship with Him.  God's discipline can also protect us from even bigger heartache and negative consequence as well.  Christ's sacrifice on our behalf should motivate us to live for Him.  Just as in the human realm with our earthly fathers, sometimes the deeper appreciation for the discipline we receive only comes with time after more maturity occurs in our lives.  There is wisdom in repenting of sin and making intentional better choices to avoid the need for God's corrective discipline in our lives.