Correction

I was reading Lamentations chapter 1 this morning and how miserable God’s people had become because of their sin.  I thought of the love and grace that God had poured out on that nation and how they had rebelled against Him.  

He was so compassionate, loving, patient and kind towards His people. His love and grace knew no bounds when it came to the Israelites.  These were His chosen people chosen from all the nations of the world.  His purpose was to be their God and their King and to provide them with every good thing.  His purpose for us is in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

How many times was God’s heart broken over their actions and their sinful behavior?  When I think about what the Word says about God and how He loved the Israelites and how He provided for them I wonder why so many didn’t appreciate what the Lord was doing for them.

Then I think about my walk with the Lord and how I have treated the Lord the same way many times going my own way and doing my own thing and I don’t think that I am the only one that has done this.  And when this happens we have to expect some kind of correction.  

Many people have a problem with being corrected, or punished, for their behaviors.  We never look forward to the punishment that we deserve.  In the Israelite’s situation, their sins were so grievous that God chose to punish them very harshly, at times.  In the book of Lamentations chapters 1-3 you can read of the devastation that the Israelites went through and it will most likely make you sad and you might even look at God in a different way wondering why He would do these things to His people if He claimed to love them.  Too many times we see God the way we want Him to be and we miss out on who He really is.

Jeremiah knew God as a loving, merciful and compassionate God but he also knew that God was a just God and he could not tolerate sin.  People hear so much about God’s love, mercy, grace and forgiveness that they get a blurred vision of God.  Although all of these things are true, when God punishes them or corrects them because of their sins, they can’t believe that God would do it.  The problem is that I don’t think people realize that God corrects them because He loves them.

Think about a child if you never correct them for misbehaving, in the long run, you will have a real problem on your hands.  The Bible says in Proverbs 13:24, “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.”  I know this isn’t politically correct but nevertheless it is true.

Jeremiah knew His God very well and in his suffering, which must have been agonizing, he said this in Lamentations 3:19–39 “The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words.  I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss.  Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends!  His mercies never cease.  Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.  I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!’  The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.  So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.  And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of his discipline:  Let them sit alone in silence beneath the Lord’s demands.  Let them lie face down in the dust, for there may be hope at last.  Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them and accept the insults of their enemies.

For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever.  Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love.  For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.  If people crush underfoot all the prisoners of the land, if they deprive others of their rights in defiance of the Most High, if they twist justice in the courts—doesn’t the Lord see all these things?  Who can command things to happen without the Lord’s permission?  Does not the Most High send both calamity and good?  Then why should we, mere humans, complain when we are punished for our sins?”

Remember this, when God corrects us for our sins it is because He loves us and He is showing his mercy and grace towards us because if He wanted to He could destroy us.  So even in His correction we can praise Him.  So instead of blaming God when we mess up our lives by our sinful behavior thank God for His conviction and correction, repent and confess your sins to God and He will forgive you if you are His child. Then praise and thank Him and try to sin no more. God bless and have a great day!!