Shofar Stellenbosch | Our FatherExemplo

Devotional: Our Father who Disciplines and Prunes

Godly discipline is always unto restoration and not condemnation. God will discipline us because He loves us and wants us close to Him. 

Discipline has two functions:

• Corrective: to direct us when we have gone astray
• Formative: to shape us into the image of His Son

This does not mean that every trial we face is from God. Sometimes we have to face up to the consequences of our own or other people’s bad decisions in this fallen world. However, we can know that God will work everything together for our good according to Romans 8:28-29.

God’s discipline will give us security, confidence and set boundaries in our lives. His intention is never to abuse or punish us. 

What is the difference between discipline and punishment?

• Discipline is a component of love
• Discipline is painful
• Discipline has restoration as a purpose
• Discipline precedes punishment
• Discipline erects fences in a child’s life
• Punishment comes in when fences have been broken down 

Unfortunately, we sometimes have parents who misuse their God-given authority and discipline us out of anger. This can cause us to respond with fear, bitterness and resentment. When abuse is suffered at home, it creates tremendous mistrust towards authority figures in life. 

Testimony:

One of the toughest things for us as parents is to discipline our children. Sometimes we will rather settle for peace than conflict. God showed me through the story of Eli’s sons (1 Samuel 2 and 3) how important it is to discipline our children, but it is still not easy. My daughter once ran into her room when I was about to discipline her and stood in the corner, proclaiming to the world that she has “lost her bum”!

Reflective questions:

1. How did your parents discipline you?
2. How did you respond to their discipline?
3. Have you experienced God’s discipline or pruning in your life?