My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights (Prov. 3:11-12).

A father who delighted in his son was genuinely surprised at an act of foolish rebellion. As was the habit of that family in that era, the disobedience resulted in a trip to the bathroom for a few whacks of mom’s hairbrush to “the seat of education.”

The son’s reaction to the punishment also surprised the father. The child shook with spasms of tears expressing far more pain than the controlled discipline could have inflicted. 

The father said, “Son, why are you so upset? You have never reacted this way before. Did I hurt you more than I intended?”

“No, Dad,” the child replied. “But always before, you left the bathroom door open. This time you shut it and in the mirror on the door I could see the pain in your face as you disciplined me. I did not know how much I hurt you, until I saw your face.”

So also our God takes no delight in our discipline, but because he delights in us, he will act to protect us from the harm of unchecked sin. How much our sin hurts him was revealed at the cross.

Prayer:
Father, no child enjoys discipline – including me! Help me to realize and receive your discipline as an act of love intended to turn me from harm and to help me grow to maturity in Christ’s blessings.