“…when the Lord binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds He inflicted.” Isaiah 30:26b
I wanted to talk today just a little bit about the side of God that a lot of Pastors avoid because it isn’t easy to discuss. I am speaking about accountability, or the side of God that uses discipline to ensure compliance. God has used discipline on His own people throughout history when they chose their own path…and to be clear…many, many, times they chose their own path. Read through Isaiah 30: 1–26 and see what I mean.
But let’s steer this conversation back to our level because most of us grew up with a father in the house. And speaking just to the men, if your dad was anything like mine, discipline was required and used to ensure my brother and I did what he asked. Just like this entire blog is titled, using the “iron sharpens iron” method, my brother and I grew up to be contributing members of society…for the most part.
And guys, God worked the exact same way using discipline with his own chosen people, and when they rebelled against him, or specifically, when they intentionally chose to disregard His direction by not seeking Him first before making an alliance with Egypt to help them fight the Assyrians…He gave them over to their enemies and many of them were destroyed. Yes…tough love.
Yet the Bible tells us that deep in His heart, “the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice blessed are all who wait for him!” Isaiah 30:18
Guys, I have spoken about this before, but we either choose God or we don’t. But know that we will all judged for those choices. As Jerusalem found out the hard way in these verses…God will wait for a certain amount of time; If you move towards Him, you will receive salvation… If you move away from Him, He will give you over. In other words, God will give you exactly what you want…even though death is NOT what you want. But you cannot be foolish enough not to recognize that the way of sin is death?
Plain and simple… He is our Heavenly Father who loves us and cares for us, but at the same time, He will use discipline when deserved. We are all personally accountable for our own actions. It is our choice, we were all created with free will and each of us gets to do what we want to do. But the Bible is quick to remind us that all choices have an outcome. If we choose Him and the way of salvation, we get to live forever…with Him in Heaven.
At his core, I knew my father loved me because he told me but as his son, he required me to act in a certain way and follow his rules. If I didn’t, there were consequences that I did not like so I made the choice to listen and do what he asked.
Our God requires the same from us…it’s really that simple. The only difference; the consequences. I urge you today to think about this and work to make the right choice for you and your family.
Remember, right now, you are in charge of your choices, so make the right one…
Until next time guys-
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I am the youngest of six in my family. Three sisters and two brothers. I too had a father who was tough. To this day my oldest brother reminds me that he took the brunt of dad’s toughness more than any of the rest of the siblings. As he always said, he paved the path for the rest of us. Today we kid about that, but in reality, it was true. I got away with things that there was no way my oldest brother could.
As I was in my 20’s I started to appreciate my father more and started to have a good relationship with him (I’m writing with tears in my eyes). I was now the man my father wanted me to be. I learned a lot from my father, even though it was some hard lessons. My dad became my best friend and as I grew older, all I wanted to do was to prove to him that he could be proud of me and what I became as a man.
My father passed away as I was flying from California to the Midwest to see him as he was living his last hours on earth. I had a layover in Denver so I called my dad in the hospital and spoke to him. He was so weak that all he could say was “I love you”. I caught my next flight and landed in the Midwest and immediately made another call just to find out that he passed away. His last words in life to me….I love you!
I am just finishing reading the Old Testament. It’s been a goal of mine to read the entire bible. Many people told me to not start with the Old Testament as it was hard to understand. But I am so glad I did as I can relate to Gods discipline, and as I got older, to better understand His love just as I experienced with my father.
I am fearful of today and the future because I do not see that same direction and accountability from men to their children as my father did with me and as God did to his people. What I see in today’s world reminds me so much of the Old Testament. And what I fear is the accountability God will perform because of our sinful ways and the idols we’ve established.
I pray for us men to become the strong leaders in our families using Gods Word as our guide to support us in our journey to establish an ethical, moral, loving and God fearing family. Be strong for each other, support each other, and keep praying to God for guidance and faith in Him.
Frank
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