Do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him. - Hebrews 12:5
A woman
unknowingly allowed some valuable family jewels to be sold for 10 cents. It happened after
she took the jewels out of a bank safety deposit box to wear to a wedding. The bank was
closed when she got home, so she put the jewels in an old shaving case and forgot about
them. One day, she gave the shaving case to a friend who was collecting items for a garage
sale. By the time the woman realized what she had done, the precious gems had been sold to
an unknown buyer for a dime.
In a sense, her pain is similar to Esau's. He too discovered what it's like to realize
suddenly that something of great value has been lost (Genesis 25:29-34). His wrong
decision and subsequent sorrow can be a lesson for Christians. Hebrews 12 teaches that if
we become bitter over the correction that comes our way because of our sin, we will lose
the benefits of God's disciplining hand (v.5). And that kind of loss is far greater than
trading expensive jewels for almost nothing.
How can we avoid this unnecessary loss? When we sin, we must be willing to learn from
God's correction (v.11), show courage (vv.12-13), and renew our spiritual vitality (v.14).
If we respond to our Father's chastening hand, we can enjoy a life without regret.
-MRD
II
If you've rebelled and turned away
From what you know is true,
Submit to God, He will forgive
He still has work for you.
-Sper
You can't put your sins behind you until you face them.