Reckless Love

2 Sam. 22:²⁰ “He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.”

Heb.12:^6-11 (GW) “The Lord disciplines everyone he loves. He severely disciplines everyone he accepts as his child.” Endure your discipline. God corrects you as a father corrects his children. All children are disciplined by their fathers. If you aren’t disciplined like the other children, you aren’t part of the family. On earth, we have fathers who disciplined us, and we respect them. Shouldn’t we place ourselves under the authority of God, the father of spirits, so that we will live? For a short time, our fathers disciplined us as they thought best. Yet, God disciplines us for our own good so that we can become holy like him. We don’t enjoy being disciplined. It always seems to cause more pain than joy. But later on, those who learn from that discipline have peace that comes from doing what is right.” The common denominator between punishment and discipline is pain.

Discipline can be painful, but discipline brings forth the fruit of righteousness. Punishment on the other hand only makes a rebellious child [depending on how strong you can go]. David says it was good that God disciplined him, he was afflicted so that he would learn [Ps.119:71]. Ps. 119:^67-68 “I used to wander off until you disciplined me. But now I closely follow your Word. You are good, and do only good, teach me your decrees” (emphasis added). Scripture shows us clearly that God actually disciplines the children that He loves. When you experience God’s discipline, the question you should be asking is, “What is God saying and what am I to learn from this?” Being able to decipher the lesson, the objective of the discipline is big, and it makes a huge difference in our attitude towards God’s discipline.

The way Jesus treats His sheep made me conclude that Only Jesus will be my Shepherd. How does Jesus treat His sheep? If I am hurt, Jesus shows me compassion. If I am confused, Jesus gives me direction. If I stray Jesus finds me. What if I fail? What if I make a mistake? If I Fail, Jesus Rescues Me. Huge! On this side of eternity, you are not going to be perfect, you are going to make mistakes. I know that some people are not comfortable with that, but it is the truth. You are not going to be perfect on this side of eternity. You can be many things, you can be a hypocrite, but you are not going to be perfect. You are going to make mistakes. But the question is how does Jesus respond to His sheep when they fall? Matt.12:^11-12 “Jesus said, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a PIT on the Sabbath, will you not rescue it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep!” (NIV, paraphrased). Jesus says, man is my sheep, should I rescue him if he falls into a pit? I pray that God will rescue you from every pit and lead you to safety in His love.

Prayer [song]: Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God. Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine. I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away. Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God. Amen!