"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid." Proverbs 12:1

"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid."

Proverbs 12:1

I dislike the word discipline. I used to see it only as the idea of punishment, and I often chafed (still do, sometimes!) at the idea of punishment, because often as a child we were punished unjustly. As I grew older, I began to realize that discipline is more than just punishment. In fact, it is only punishment in the sense that it hurts the receiver to a degree, but the hurt is there to make the one disciplined learn from their foolishness! It is not meant to be cruel, or unjust, or vicious or an outlet for the discipliner's anger; rather, it is meant to teach a lesson with just a hint of a sting, as a reminder to not make the same kind of foolish or stupid mistake again.

I had to relearn the definition of discipline, and because I love Jesus, I have tried very hard to take His lessons to heart. Sometimes discipline hurts a little. But our Heavenly Father does not toss us away once the discipline is complete. Instead, after confession and forgiveness, there is great rejoicing on His end and my end too, because He always welcomes me back into love and fellowship in His arms that are ever waiting for me to fall into. 

A fool hates reproof. He hates discipline. For Him, to be caught in the arms of his heavenly Father is to be squeezed and suffocated by His love. The stupid man does not understand (nor wishes to) that his rebellion is foolish. He does not realize that the cords he feels are strangling him are the loving arms of God. He resents the reproof, resents the love that awaits him, not realizing that the path he is choosing leads to heartache and pain...and death.

Reproof is not the same as punishment. Reproof and discipline have mercy behind them. The deliverance of a reproof to the sinner is one of gentleness, a reminder of what that sinner has left behind and is missing out on as he runs away from his Creator. It is so wrapped up in God's truth and love and grace that to love reproof (usually we do once the reproof is finished!) is to bring knowledge, and whoever has knowledge has discipline, and he who welcomes the reproof is wise. This is how we grow. We fail. We run from God. But He is there, pulling us back, gently reproving and disciplining us for our own good, until finally we acknowledge our sin, and fall into His loving arms.

I pray I'll not be stupid! But I am human, and often do foolish or silly or stupid things that build a wall between me and my Father. But His reproof is loving, and He plucks apart that wall between us until once again, I am resting and basking in His love.

Praise God for His great love and mercy toward us! Praise God that his punishments, no matter how hard they seem, are reproofs that draw us back to Him, into His perpetual love. What amazing grace I have found! What amazing discipline, amazing reproof! Our King Jesus is a good, and kind and merciful king! How I love Him for all He has done for me!